Santa Monica’s New Director To Spearhead City’s Efforts To Expand Affordable Housing

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica has selected its next director of housing and human services, who is tasked with spearheading the city's affordable housing efforts, city officials announced last week.

Aileen Reynolds, who “brings more than a decade of experience in affordable housing and housing policy,” started her position with the city Monday with an annual salary of $258,756, city officials said.

“Aileen rose to the top of a highly competitive national recruitment because she brings exceptional technical expertise paired with a deeply values-driven approach to leadership,” City Manager Oliver Chi said in a written statement. “She is a proven builder of systems that expand housing access, and just as importantly, she leads with an authentic humility – a vital quality essential in building our team-oriented One SaMo culture across the organization.”

Reynolds will replace Heather Averick, city officials said.

“I am thrilled to be joining the City of Santa Monica during this important period of realignment and revitalization,” Reynolds said. “I look forward to working alongside the Housing and Human Services team and our citywide partners to advance programs and policies that serve the community with compassion and effectiveness.”

Reynolds most recently worked with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development as an assistant commissioner, city officials said.

During her tenure, Reynolds “oversaw a team of more than 75 employees dedicated to placing vulnerable New Yorkers into stable, secure housing,” according to officials.

“Under her leadership, the department achieved record-breaking outcomes, securing housing for more than 43,000 households,” officials said.

As the city’s new director of housing and human services, Reynolds will be tasked with overseeing the Santa Monica Housing Authority, officials said.

She will spearhead the city’s efforts to “expand affordable housing opportunities citywide,” according to officials.

“Her responsibilities will also include directing programs, services, and funding for the city’s Human Services Grants Program, as well as continuing implementation of the city’s Homelessness Strategic Plan,” city officials said.

Reynolds will also be tasked with leading some elements included in the city’s realignment plan.

“This work will include partnering across departments to implement a vacant property registry and rent registry, advancing the city’s Housing Element goals with a renewed focus on the Downtown core, and overseeing the replacement of the SAMOSHEL homeless shelter with a new housing-first system of care,” the city said.