Clatsop County has hired Elissa Gertler to lead Clatsop County’s affordable housing efforts. She will develop the blueprint for developing affordable housing strategies and provide technical and planning assistance to county partner agencies.
“We are fortunate to bring on board such a highly skilled professional who has a track record of working well with communities, affordable housing developers, and who is committed to creating affordable housing in our communities,” said Clatsop County Manager Don Bohn.
The development of affordable housing is a priority for the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners and is a key priority of their strategic plan. Last year, the County created a Housing Dashboard and facilitated the creation of the Clatsop Regional Housing Taskforce.
“We saw an opportunity to draw on Elissa’s extensive experience and know she will hit the ground running,” Bohn said.
The county also looks forward to continuing the working relationship with NOHA, Bohn said. “We value the work they are doing toward creating and maintaining affordable housing in our community and region and look forward to future partnerships.”
Clatsop County will use American Rescue Plan Act funds for this position. Gertler is expected to start as housing manager on Monday, June 5. This limited duration position is for a six-month period with an option to extend.
Gertler served as Planning and Development director for Oregon Metro and her leadership of public and government affairs at Clackamas County included working with the local housing authority.
In her decade as Planning and Development Director at Oregon Metro, Gertler was instrumental in the startup of a housing program and department at Metro, including passage of the 2018 Regional Affordable Housing Bond, which is funding production of more than 3900 affordable housing units in the Portland Metro area.
“I am really looking forward to joining Clatsop County’s team and building on the great work already underway to address the urgent affordable housing needs in our community that affect us all. With the strong leadership, solid partnerships, and key opportunities that the County has established, I know we will be able to make real progress on getting more housing built and more people in homes,” Gertler said.