After conducting a national search, Atlanta Housing’s Search Selection Committee for a Chief Executive Officer has nominated Terri Lee to serve in the permanent role. The search, which began in October of 2023, yielded more than 50 strong prospects and included current and former CEOs and Presidents of large public housing organizations, non-profits and private development companies—all with a mission centered around affordable housing. Lee emerged as the most qualified and well-suited candidate.

“Terri Lee is an exceptional leader with a long and distinguished career in affordable housing. Her extensive knowledge of housing policy, operations, and a deep connection to residents and love for Atlanta make her the right person at the right time to lead Atlanta Housing,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “Both I and members of my Administration look forward to working closely with her to accelerate my goal of building and preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing in eight years. Thank you to the Search Selection Committee, its Chair Duriya Farooqui, and the AH Board of Directors for leading a thorough and professional process. Together, with Terri, the Board of Directors, the incredible team at AH and my entire housing team, we will continue to move with the needed absolute urgency to build a more affordable Atlanta.”

Making Atlanta a city of opportunity for all is a pillar of Mayor Dickens’ vision for Atlanta. Which is why he has set the ambitious goal of building or preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing over eight years. In just two years, the Dickens Administration has delivered 3,000 affordable units with another 5,000 units in the pipeline.

“As a member of the AH CEO Search Committee, I’m pleased that our exhaustive search process has resulted in the recommendation of Terri Lee as the sole finalist for this position.  Terri has demonstrated during her tenure at the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Housing, and advocacy in the public housing community that she’s prepared to lead our organization to meet and expand upon Mayor Dicken’s commitment to housing affordability in Atlanta. We look forward to the growth and innovation ahead with Terri at the helm of Atlanta Housing,” said Atlanta Housing Board Chair Larry Stewart.

Lee has served as AH’s COO since 2020. Prior to that, she served as the City of Atlanta’s first- Chief Housing Officer from 2018 to 2020, after serving as its Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Planning for ten years. As Chief Housing Officer, Lee developed the One Atlanta Housing Affordability Action Plan to mobilize $1 billion from private, philanthropic, and public sources to create and preserve affordable housing. She helped oversee the distribution of more than $11 million in COVID-19 emergency relief aid to support approximately 2,000 residents within a span of four months. Lee also improved the City’s collaboration and coordination across City housing agencies to ensure processes were transparent and accountable, among other accomplishments.

“I am grateful to my stellar search committee of Atlanta leaders, who invested their time and experience in selecting the next CEO for Atlanta Housing. Terri Lee emerged as a top candidate from a highly competitive process - she has earned the opportunity to be the next CEO of Atlanta Housing from her years of affordable housing expertise in Atlanta and a commitment to advancing progress, innovation, and partnerships at the agency. I look forward to supporting her leadership as an AH board commissioner,” said Atlanta Housing Board Commissioner Duriya Farooqui.

The national search was a rigorous process of sourcing and interviews conducted by the search firm, the Godwin Group, and the AH Search Selection Committee. Some of the factors in seeking a nominee among the candidates were leadership, real estate development in the affordable housing sector, operational experience at the scale of Atlanta Housing and—most importantly—a genuine commitment, care, and devotion to service for Atlanta residents.

“I want to thank Mayor Dickens, the Search Committee and Atlanta Housing’s Board of Commissioners for their selection of me as the finalist to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta Housing. I am excited to lead the transformative efforts of Atlanta Housing as we aggressively seek to provide more affordable housing for our residents,” said Terri Lee.

Prior to Atlanta, Lee has also served in Housing and Development roles in the City of Jackson, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Grambling State University with a Bachelor’s in Public Administration and obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University.

A resolution confirming the sole finalist will be on the agenda for Atlanta Housing’s January 24, 2024, meeting.