06/20/2017

Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority Names Demetria Simpson as President and CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hugh Grefe, Chair
419-283-5601

Toledo, Ohio, June 20, 2017
At a meeting today, the board of commissioners of Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority named Demetria Simpson to the position of president and chief executive officer. Mrs. Simpson was serving as interim president and CEO after the resignation of Martin LaMar in May. The board felt that under LaMar's leadership, LMHA had reduced opportunities for success.

Simpson's passion for making a difference in underserved communities goes beyond her career obligations. She has worked in Housing and Community Development for 20 years. A Mississippi native, she led the redevelopment efforts of affordable housing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. She has worked for LMHA since September 2015, in the role of Director of Real Estate Development and Modernization and most recently as Chief Operations Officer. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated from the John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program at Harvard University.

Hugh W. Grefe, board chairman, stated, "The appointment of Demetria Simpson is a strong step forward for LMHA and our community. She is passionate about serving and the board is sure that her leadership will make a difference."

The appointment will take place immediately.

About Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority
Established in 1933, Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) continues to provide affordable housing to adults, seniors and children in its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Mixed-Income and Market-Rate housing units. LMHA also provides a myriad of programs and opportunities designed to improve the total quality of life for our residents, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. The programs and services are the result of successful collaborations with numerous community partners. Our current housing portfolio consists of 2,701 Public Housing units; 4,366 Housing Choice Vouchers; 32 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units; 198 Market-Rate units; and, 53 Rent-to-Own properties. There are approximately 17,500 people who reside in LMHA properties.

Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority partners with ALL people and organizations willing to exchange ideas and efforts to enhance Toledo, Lucas County, and the world.