July 18, 2024
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Press Release
Respected leader transitions from interim position at nonprofit that finances affordable housing
Strategic Housing Finance Corporation of Travis County (SHFC), a nonprofit that partners with private developers to boost access to affordable housing, has named Dianna Grey as executive director. She has been serving in an interim executive director role since January, and the board of directors has now made the appointment permanent based on her leadership and vision.
“Dianna is a trusted leader, a rigorous thinker, and a proven catalyst for generating high-quality affordable housing in Travis County,” said Julio Gonzalez Altamirano, the board president of Strategic Housing Finance Corporation. “As the cost of living increases in our community, boosting affordable housing remains a top priority. Dianna knows how to creatively and equitably get that done at a scale that will make a difference.”
Dianna brings extensive experience in affordable housing to this permanent role. She previously served as Homeless Strategy Officer for the City of Austin. Before that, she held roles as Director of the Texas program for the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Program Director for the Enterprise Community Loan Fund, and Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Austin. A long-time Central Texan, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II and Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Masters in Public Affairs from The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
"The need has never been greater for the creation of high-quality, affordable housing in Travis County, and I am honored to serve our community in this role,” said Grey. “I am excited to help execute on the ambitious vision of SHFC’s reinvigorated board of directors. We will build on SHFC’s successful track record while we simultaneously complete a comprehensive review of our portfolio and policies to make sure we are effectively and transparently serving Travis County.”
Over the past six months, SHFC has established fully independent operations, transitioning from a long-standing relationship with the Housing Authority of Travis County. SHFC has initiated a comprehensive review of its portfolio, which consists of 3,700 completed units plus nearly 2,000 units under construction, all while building a robust pipeline of future affordable housing.
"Dianna is a proven leader in this county, and I'm excited for the fresh start she brings to Strategic Housing Finance Corporation as they work to provide much-needed affordable housing for our community," said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. "County leaders will work hand in hand with her and her team to build relationships and continue to address the affordability crisis and increase access to safe, stable, and affordable housing in Travis County."
Additional priorities for the rest of 2024 include building a best-in-class team through the creation of several new positions, including a Director of Real Estate, and streamlining communications to make sure the community better understands who SHFC is and what it does.
"We are so excited that Dianna Grey has been named permanent Executive Director of SHFC,” said Shoshana Krieger, Project Director at Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA). “Already in her time as Interim Executive Director, we have seen SHFC take positive steps towards being more responsive to tenant and community concerns. We look forward to seeing the creative and new direction that Dianna takes SHFC and working collaboratively with the organization."
For interviews or more information, contact Oliver Bernstein, [email protected], 512-289-8618
The Strategic Housing Finance Corporation of Travis County (SHFC) has helped finance a portfolio of over 6000 affordable housing units throughout Travis County. Created in 2004 by the Travis County Commissioners Court, SHFC is a local Housing Finance Corporation as defined in the Texas Housing Finance Corporations Act.
