Jill Chen selected as assistant director of Housing Authority of Washington County

Washington County Department of Housing Services welcomes Jill Chen as the new assistant director of the Housing Authority of Washington County following a nationwide recruitment and competitive selection process. She will begin her new role with Washington County on February 28, 2024.

Chen was most recently the Housing Investments and Portfolio Preservation Manager at the Portland Housing Bureau, managing the production team for multifamily rental and homeownership projects since 2018. Prior to joining the City of Portland, Chen worked in international development with Grameen Foundation, Bank of America, ABN AMRO Bank and the World Bank Group.

Chen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

As manager of the Portland Housing Bureau production team, Chen worked to implement the Portland and Metro Housing Bonds, which helped to produce over 4,000 units of affordable housing in more than 40 projects.

"Jill has implemented unprecedented resources in voter-approved bond measures, COVID-relief funds, Community Development Block Grant, HOME, Project-Based Vouchers, Tax Increment Financing, and Supportive Housing Services funding," said Executive Director Molly Rogers. "She is also a systems thinker who cares passionately about the mission of our work and partnering with other agencies to reduce obstacles to get resources into the community to build and preserve affordable housing. She is very innovative in solving complex housing issues and we look forward to having her on our team."

"I am thrilled to accept the position as Assistant Director at the Housing Authority of Washington County in an incredible opportunity to work across the spectrum of housing and homelessness integrating capital funds, supportive services and rental assistance with an equity focus," shared Chen. "I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders in addressing these challenges facing our region."

ABOUT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY: The Housing Authority of Washington County has been providing and developing affordable housing opportunities for over 50 years. Today, the effort continues with the County’s Department of Housing Services, formed in 1992 to administer both its housing activities and programs and that of Washington County. Its mission is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promote community strength.