Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

After spending two years as a member of the Washington Housing Authority Board, Washington native Dawn Slann now finds herself as the interim board chair, replacing Alice Sadler. “Alice is a very busy lady and her community plate was full,” said Slann. “She had indicated once new CEO Franklin Scott got settled into his position, that she would like to take a break. In a unanimous decision by the board, I was asked to take over the remainder of her term that runs through the end of the year.”

Slann said everyone at the housing authority shares the same vision of clean, affordable, and secure housing for all. “Everyone takes that vision to heart and is committed to making it happen,” said Slann.

Slann said going forward they want the program to move to a place where it is a stepping stone and a leg up for people so they can move on to independence, rather than staying in the system for the long term. But with that vision comes challenges. “First, it is extremely challenging when dealing with someone on a limited income and trying to make sure they have clean, safe, and affordable housing,” said Slann. “It is not easy navigating through that knowing that your decisions will directly impact the lives of others. Secondly, the number of people who need affordable housing continues to go up as it is a very dynamic situation. Someone who used to own or rent a home now finds themselves in a position where they need supportive housing as well, which means we now have waiting lists.”

To navigate these challenges Slann said it is imperative that “everyone” come together for the common cause. “I don’t feel in a town the size of Washington you can play partisan politics when it comes to these issues,” said Slann. “You can hold on to your foundational beliefs whatever they may be and let them guide you. But we need to hold hands and work together to make the right decisions on how we are going to help the people who need affordable housing. They couldn’t care less about who we are politically, they just need good housing – affordable, clean, and safe. Everybody deserves a decent place to live and we should all be able to agree to that regardless of political affiliation.”

Outgoing chair Alice Sadler added she feels good about the leadership that is now in place. “We are very blessed to now have Franklin Scott as our new CEO,” said Sadler. “Dawn is a strong, competent, and detail-oriented board member. She is a visionary and quality control focused. Housing will not miss a beat under her leadership as board chair.”