Tracey Scott to Transition out of Current Role as Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Housing Authority

Chicago (October 28, 2024) – The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners announced that Chief Executive Officer Tracey Scott will be transitioning away from her position after four-and-a-half years leading the organization.

During her tenure, Scott successfully steered the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated development of nearly 3,000 new mixed-income units on CHA land and in privately-owned developments across the city. CHA now serves over 65,000 low-income households – up from 63,000 in 2019 – through public housing, rental vouchers, and homeownership programs.

“Housing serves as a foundation that helps people unlock opportunities,” said Scott. “Over the past four years at CHA, I’ve focused on encouraging innovation to expand and improve housing in strong communities, while supporting families and seniors in reaching their goals. I am proud of the accomplishments of an incredible CHA team, and I know their commitment and passion for our residents will continue to carry the mission forward,” Scott said.

Under Scott’s leadership, CHA introduced a down payment assistance program to expand homeownership options for families, expanded the award-winning LevelUp family self-sufficiency program, and reinvested in preserving the existing public housing buildings and scattered sites.

“The CHA Board of Commissioners would like to thank Ms. Scott for her leadership during this crucial period when the demand for affordable housing is more pressing than ever," said CHA Vice Chairman Matthew Brewer. "Under her tenure, and in partnership with this Board, we have significantly leveraged over $1.5 billion in public-private investments to create new housing, improved our bond ratings, and updated our fully-funded pension plan. CHA is well-positioned for continued growth as we enter this next chapter."  

“CHA plays a critical role in expanding affordable housing options for Chicagoans. I want to extend my gratitude to CEO Tracey Scott for her steadfast leadership and dedication to CHA – and its 135,000 residents – over these past four years,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Under her leadership, today’s CHA serves more Chicagoans than ever before. My administration will continue to partner closely with the agency to realize my vision of a vibrant city where every resident has access to safe, quality affordable housing.”

Scott’s departure is effective as of November 1, 2024. The Board of Commissioners also announced that current Board Chairwoman Angela Hurlock will serve as the agency’s Interim Chief Executive Officer while it conducts a search.

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About the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA): CHA is the third largest public housing authority in the nation and the largest single owner of rental housing in Chicago. Through its public housing and voucher programs, CHA serves 135,000 people in 65,000 households across all 77 of Chicago’s community areas. CHA’s mission is to create and sustain strong communities where seniors thrive and everyone can unlock their economic power, ensuring that every neighborhood in Chicago has quality affordable housing and everyone feels welcome. For more information, visit www.thecha.org.