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New AMHA executive director Herman Hill discusses his goals
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 10, 2022
He hasn’t been on the job long, but Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) Executive Director Herman Hill has already begun carrying out the agency’s strategic plan, which includes preserving and expanding affordable housing and improving the quality of life for residents.
“My goal is to move the housing authority forward, with an emphasis on improving the diversity, equity and inclusion of staff and vendors,” said Hill, who started his new job on May 2. “I have spent a significant amount of time reviewing documents, listening to staff and learning more about the organization.
“Under my leadership, AMHA will continue expanding its footprint of affordable housing and implementing local innovative solutions that will transform how we operate for the next 20 years.”
The AMHA Board of Trustees selected Hill to replace former executive director Brian Gage, whose contract expired last summer. Debbie Barry had been serving as the interim executive director.
This after a national search process that began in September, in which the board engaged the Washington D.C.-based human resources firm Human Capital Initiatives as well as the local minority executive search firm HC Smith Limited.
Prior to taking on his new role, Hill was the executive director of the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, a position he was appointed to in 2013.
“The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority is more than twice the size of the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, which presents a bigger challenge for me that I truly accept and embrace,” said Hill.
AMHA Board of Trustees Chair Marco Sommerville said Hill brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the housing authority, which will be a major asset to the agency.
“First of all we wanted to pick someone who knew northeast Ohio and liked the climate, especially the snow,” said Sommerville, Akron deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs and senior adviser to Mayor Dan Horrigan. “Mr. Hill passed the weather litmus test and most importantly he has a proven track record of success.
“AMHA is a high-performing agency, with a large staff that will be able to assist him in carrying out his duties,” said Sommerville. “He will face a number of challenges, including federal budget cuts and the growing need for more quality affordable housing.
“He’s also being charged with diversifying the work staff and increasing the number of minority vendors,” said Sommerville. “Mr. Hill has the right temperament for the job and the board is confident he will be able to achieve those goals.”
As executive director of AMHA, Hill does have his work cut out for him.
Founded in 1938, the housing authority provides affordable housing options to approximately 10,000 households in Summit County.
“I expect to be very busy managing an $80 million budget,” said Hill. “I’m still learning about AMHA but I am committed to the organization, its employees and residents.”
One of the items on Hill’s to-do list is to apply for a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to replace distressed public housing units at the Summit Lake Apartments development.
“I am very excited about the partnerships that were created to make this project become a reality,” said Hill.
A native of Youngstown, Hill received his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. He also has a master’s degree in public administration from Cleveland State University.
It was while a student at Kent State University that Hill first became interested in working for a public housing authority.
“I was hired to run a summer youth program for the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority,” said Hill. “I developed a deep passion for serving people and used the mission statement to define my purpose.
“I always had a goal to serve as a leader and my experience at the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority was a launching pad for my professional career.”
While in graduate school, Hill was the HOPE VI community and supportive services manager for the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the initiative sought to revitalize neighborhoods and turn old, barracks-style public housing projects into mixed-use developments.
Hill later worked on the campaign that elected Jay Williams, Youngstown’s first African American mayor.
In 2006, Hill was hired by the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership to oversee the area’s minority business development and equal employment opportunity programs.
“I assisted small- and minority-owned businesses with accessing capital, bidding on contracts, obtaining loans and grants and other programs to help them thrive.”
Prior to starting his position as executive director of the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, he was a loss mitigation negotiator for Bank of America in Pittsburgh and later served as executive director of the Jackson Housing Commission, a public housing authority in Jackson, Michigan.
Over the years, Hill has administrated numerous HUD-funded programs and grants, including the Rental Assistance Demonstration, Capital Fund, HOPE VI and YouthBuild programs.
The North Canton resident is currently on the board of trustees of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association and is a member of the North Canton YMCA board of directors.
“I’m proud to be here and look forward to enhancing the lives of the residents we serve and continuing our high-performing legacy for years to come,” said Hill.