Atlanta Housing today announced that Chief Operating Officer Dwayne C. Vaughn, Esq. will retire from the agency on May 8, 2026, concluding a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in affordable housing, law, and public service.

Vaughn currently serves as Atlanta Housing’s Chief Operating Officer and previously led the agency’s legal division as General Counsel. Over the course of his tenure, he has been a trusted advisor to the Board of Commissioners and executive leadership, helping guide the agency through significant operational, legal, and strategic milestones.

He served Atlanta Housing for 16 years, including two years as Chief Operating Officer. Before becoming COO, he served as General Counsel for nearly three years and previously held multiple leadership roles at the agency earlier in his career.

“Dwayne is someone I have trusted deeply as a leader and advisor,” said Terri M. Lee, President and CEO of Atlanta Housing. “Throughout my time working alongside him, his counsel, professionalism, and commitment to the mission have been invaluable. Dwayne brings a rare combination of experience, wisdom, and steady leadership, and his impact on this organization and the families we serve will be felt for years to come.”

Vaughn is widely respected across the national housing community as a highly sought-after expert and trusted leader in affordable housing policy, operations, and development.

His career reflects a deep and longstanding commitment to affordable housing and community development. Prior to returning to Atlanta Housing’s executive leadership team, he served as Vice President of Housing Policy and Development at Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., where he worked closely with city leaders, developers, and community stakeholders to advance workforce housing initiatives along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor.

Earlier in his career, Vaughn served as Executive Director of the Mobile Housing Board and held several leadership roles with Atlanta Housing, including Director of Special Initiatives, Assistant Director for Housing Operations, and Deputy General Counsel.

Across these roles, Vaughn built a reputation as a thoughtful and principled leader capable of guiding complex housing initiatives while maintaining a strong focus on equity, community impact, and operational excellence.

“It has been an honor to serve the city of Atlanta and the mission of Atlanta Housing,” said Vaughn. “The work of expanding housing opportunity and strengthening communities is deeply meaningful, and I am grateful to have spent my career alongside colleagues and partners committed to that purpose.”

Vaughn earned a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law. Over the course of his career, he has practiced real estate, corporate, employment, and civil rights law while supporting affordable housing programs across the Southeast.

Atlanta Housing will conduct a national search for its next Chief Operating Officer and has named Bridge Partners as the agency’s search firm of record.