Committee approves Rachel D'Souza as mayoral appointee to St. Louis Housing Authority Commission

The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee voted to advance the mayor’s appointment of Rachel D’Souza to the St. Louis Housing Authority Commission, approving the nomination unanimously at the committee meeting.

D'Souza, introduced to the committee as the mayor's appointee, emphasized her local ties and reasons for seeking the post. "I'm born and raised in Saint Louis," she told the committee, and said she returned after college and has watched how housing policy at state and federal levels "have impacted my neighbors, my community members, and their children." She said the incoming federal priorities make it important for residents who care about their communities to help steer how public dollars are used.

Committee members thanked D'Souza for her willingness to serve and reviewed her resume in brief remarks. Vice Chair Saulnier moved to approve the mayor's appointment; Alderman Switzer seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll, and the committee recorded five aye votes from Alderman Weiser, Vice Chair Saulnier, Alderman Browning, Alderman Aldrich and Chair Clark Hubbard. The committee chair said the nomination will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen and scheduled for a final vote on the floor later in the week.

The vote at committee was procedural: the action advances the nomination to the full board; it does not itself install a commissioner. No committee member voiced opposition during the item, and no amendments or conditions were attached to the motion.

The committee record indicates the nomination will appear on the Board of Aldermen floor docket the coming Friday for final confirmation.