Aaron Cooper Named New Executive Director of Inkster Housing Commission

Inkster - The Board of Commissioners of the Inkster Housing Commission has named Aaron Cooper as the new executive director of the agency. Cooper brings a wealth of experience to this position having served as the Director of Asset Management for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) in Cleveland, Ohio, and in multiple capacities with Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) in Toledo, Ohio. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and a minor in legal studies.

As Director of Asset Management for CMHA, Cooper's primary responsibilities included oversight of the agency's housing portfolio including: Low Income Public Housing (LIPH), Section 8 New Construction, Multi-Family Housing, implementation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Rental Demonstration Program (RAD) as well as tax credit management and compliance. In addition, he managed multiple departments to include maintenance and compliance, and was also responsible for ensuring the agency met HUD standards as it relates to the Real Estate Assessment Center, Occupancy, Rent Collection, Prepare for Occupancy and overall curb appeal.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Inkster community to help improve the quality of life for both our residents and the greater community" stated Cooper. "It is my goal to work closely with Inkster Housing's Board of Commissioners, our Residents Council, our residents, community leaders and government officials to help address the needs of our community in regard to housing, safety, health and wellness and self-sufficiency programs," he said. "It is my intent to spend time listening to our residents' needs and helping to change the public housing environment in Inkster. Most importantly, we will deliver services to this community in a transparent and compassionate manner."

One of Cooper's first initiatives will be to open the Inkster Housing Envision Center, a space funded by HUD, that will assist residents with job training and health and wellness as well as serve as a community center.

In addition to his previous work experience, Cooper sits on the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Community Revitalization and Development Committee and is a member of the North Central Regional Council - a regional branch of NAHRO. Cooper obtained his Public Housing Management Certification, in 2009, as a Property Manager at Lucas Metropolitan Housing. He was the recipient of the 2016 NCRC Emerging Leader Award and graduated from the 2018 Cleveland Leadership Academy Cleveland Bridge Builders. His volunteer experience consists of serving as a former Executive Board Member, Treasurer and 1st Vice Chair of the Safety Council of Northwest Ohio, where he became a certified Safety Management Practitioner and a certified Occupational Safety Specialist.

About Inkster Housing Commission

The Inkster Housing Redevelopment Commission (IHRC) was created in 1950 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Initially, the IHRC was a municipal department of the city of Inkster, a small, urban, blue-collar community 20 miles from Detroit. In 2004, IHRC became an independent, self-sustaining, HUD-funded nonprofit agency, following a change in state law which made all housing authorities independent of municipalities.

IHRC is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Inkster, Michigan, to 5-year staggered terms. IHRC's mission is to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing for lower-income persons.

IHRC administers two HUD programs, Public Housing, and the Section 8 Housing Voucher Choice Program (HCVP). IHRC's programs provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The HCVP Program provides rental assistance/subsidies and 751 Section 8 Vouchers for eligible families living in private housing. IHRC provides housing and/or housing assistance to nearly 3,000 persons of whom approximately 1,500 are children under the age of 18.

By promoting personal, economic, and social upward mobility, our residents are encouraged to transition from subsidized to unsubsidized housing in the private secto