The Seattle City Council's Housing and Human Services Committee on Sept. 22 voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of five appointments to the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) Board of Commissioners and heard a presentation from SHA leadership about services and planned projects.

Who and what: The committee recommended confirmation of appointees listed in agenda items 1 through 6 (appointments 3239''243). SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon, Lisa Walters, director of government relations for SHA, and nominee Kristen Ryan addressed the committee and described SHA operations.

Why it matters: SHA operates the city's largest subsidized housing portfolio and voucher program. SHA told the committee it serves roughly 38,000 individuals, owns and manages just under 10,000 units and administers about 13,000 housing vouchers that are used across the city.

Key points from SHA leadership
- Rod Brandon, executive director, summarized SHA's portfolio and services, highlighting asset management, resident services and recent redevelopment projects. He said the authority works in every Seattle neighborhood and that one in 10 Seattle Public Schools students lives in SHA housing.
- Lisa Walters, SHA director of government relations, and other SHA staff described board composition, noting two resident commissioners who live in SHA housing and provide direct resident perspectives.
- Nominee Kristen Ryan described her background in nonprofit and private-sector housing development, acquisition, creative financing and experience delivering workforce housing, and said she was motivated by SHA's mission.

Committee discussion
- Committee members praised SHA's redevelopment work, including intergenerational and mixed-income projects, and asked about acquisition versus rehabilitation. Brandon said SHA balances new development, acquisitions and rehabilitation depending on timing, funding and capacity, and noted uncertainty in funding availability.
- Members asked about neighborhood engagement and relationships with community organizations; Ryan described a focus on continuous improvement and hearing community concerns in both crisis and celebratory moments.

Action taken
- The committee moved to recommend confirmation of the SHA appointments (appointments 3239''243). The recommendation carried 5-0 and will be sent to the full City Council for final confirmation.

Ending: The committee adjourned after the vote and moved on to other agenda items. The recommendation of appointments will be considered by the full council at the earliest available meeting date.