A former North Carolina housing authority official will be next to lead Williamsburg’s redevelopment and affordable housing efforts, city officials said Tuesday.
Melody W. Gates has been appointed by the Board of Commissioners as the city’s new Executive Director of Redevelopment and Housing Authority and is set to take the helm June 1, according to a press release.
Gates relieves the duties previously handled by Peter Walentisch, who is the current Human Services Department director for Williamsburg. Walentisch, who oversaw both divisions for the interim, will continue in his official role.
“I am thankful for this opportunity,” Gates said. “And [I] look forward to joining a team of people already committed to excellent public service.”
Gates will earn a salary of $115,000 per year for her role, according to the release.
She will supervise all functions and operations of the Authority, including all U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements and reports, to ensure properties are compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and standards.
She will oversee budget preparation and administration, supervise staff activities, implement and update local policies and procedures as outlined in the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) Manual
In addition to directing public housing, she will work on redevelopment and housing projects in partnership with city staff to address workforce and affordable housing opportunities.
Most recently, Gates served as the Benson Housing Authority executive director, in Benson N. C. from 2012.
Gates prior experience includes holding positions with the North Carolina Department of Administration, serving as Director of Housing, overseeing the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs for seven North Carolina counties.
She also served as Director of Housing Choice Voucher Program for the Johnston County Housing Assistance in Smithfield, N.C.
Williamsburg Mayor Paul Freiling, who also serves as as the city’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority Commission Chairman, said the city thanks Walentisch for his four years of service in the role.
Freiling said the city also looks forward to working with Gates.
“Williamsburg has a strong history of creating and managing affordable housing opportunities for its residents,” he said, adding Gates has a “steadfast commitment to serving our residents, as we continue together to meet the challenges of providing housing in an evolving community.”
