PHA Temporary Caretaker to Stay

Michael Kelly accepts position as permanent Executive Director

Michael Kelly who came to Philadelphia from New York City to run the troubled Housing Authority, has accepted an offer to become PHA’s permanent Executive Director.

His new role became official at a special meeting of the PHA Board of Commissioners on Thursday. He begins his new responsibilities on August 8.

Kelly has been on loan to Philadelphia from the New York City Housing Authority, since December 2010. Through a special arrangement, NYCHA agreed to allow him to serve as Interim Executive Director at PHA while still handling some of his duties in New York.

Kelly will also continue in his role as HUD Administrative Receiver. In that role, he is overseeing PHA’s recovery with the goal of returning the agency back to local control in 2012.

“Mr. Kelly came to PHA at a very difficult time. He immediately focused on creating an atmosphere of mutual respect, getting back to basics in property management and resident services and making PHA accountable and transparent in business practices,” said PHA Board of Commissioners chair and HUD COO Estelle Richman.

Former PHA director Carl Greene was fired last September after secret settlements of $648,000 for 3 sexual harassment complaints came to light. Greene is also under federal investigation for his use of government funding.

Kelly, serving simultaneously as Administrative Receiver and Executive Director, will be paid $225,000, more than $100,000 a year less than Greene’s total salary.
 

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