In September 2018, a recruiter contacted John E. Hall about applying to be executive director of Indianapolis Housing Agency. Curious, Hall researched the position and discovered news stories about mismanaged funds, audits and poor housing conditions. The list of problems intrigued Hall, so he applied. Hall began as executive director March 4.
“After an extensive national search and careful deliberation by community stakeholders and city officials, it is clear that John’s nearly two decades of experience leading housing organizations and building community can help to shape the future of IHA,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a press release announcing Hall as executive director in February.
Hall came into the position knowing there will be challenges ahead. Former executive director of Indianapolis Housing Agency, Rufus “Bud” Myers, resigned amid allegations of mismanagement after auditors found millions of mishandled dollars. Tenants also complained about poor maintenance of the buildings.
“Those items as a public administrator put me through a range of emotions,” Hall said. “Foremost, I get upset and angry that tenants are having to live in a condition like that. Then the range of emotion turns to problem solving, and I try to figure out how I can fix it. And then I become very excited about the opportunity and the possibility of being the next leader.”
Hall is implementing two plans in his first 30 days to begin tackling the problems he inherited. In the “Love Where You Live Campaign,” Hall will visit each of the 16 properties under Indianapolis Housing Agency’s purview once every six weeks to have meetings with residents to hear complaints, discover and then strategically phase in solutions. The goal is to remain connected to the community’s needs.
Hall also plans to conduct “management moments” where he will meet with all 138 Indianapolis Housing Agency employees one on one. The meetings will serve as a chance to assess the employees, determine their proper role in the organization and see if employees require additional services such as training.
This will not be the first time Hall inherited difficulties with a job. In his previous position as director of Wichita’s Housing and Community Services Department, in Wichita, Kansas, Hall discovered, within his first week, low occupancy, yearly losses over $110,000 and substandard housing. During his time there, Hall reversed its financial situation and improved housing. Unlike his previous position, Hall came to the Indianapolis Housing Agency fully aware of the problems. Having that knowledge helped formulate his approach to improving the agency’s plight.
“With the HUD reports and the media coverage, I know exactly pretty much the scope of the work that needs to be done, so I can go into problem-solving mode versus problem identification,” Hall said.
Contact staff writer Ben Lashar at 317-762-7848. Follow him on Twitter @BenjaminLashar.
John Hall, new director of Indianapolis Housing Agency, previously was director of Wichita’s Housing and Community Services Department, Wichita, Kansas; field office director of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington D.C.; and the deputy director at Southfair CDC, a Texas community housing development organization.(Photo provided)
