Housing Works today announced the hiring of Lynne McConnell, currently Housing Director for the City of Bend, as the next executive director for the organization. Housing Works is the largest provider of affordable housing in the Central Oregon region with more than 2,000 units under ownership and management in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. McConnell will replace current Executive Director, David Brandt, who is retiring in December after six years.
Prior to coordinating housing programs for the City of Bend since 2017, McConnell was the Deputy Director of Community Services for NeighborImpact in Redmond. Before that she led multiple nonprofits in Alaska and was a former staff attorney for Legal Aid. She obtained her law degree from Lewis and Clark law school and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon.
“Working for the City has been wonderful, and I’ve been successful here, and I’m proud of that,” McConnell said, “but Housing Works is a really interesting organization that I have partnered with on many initiatives. It was a place and a position I felt called to.” “Lynne brings extensive knowledge of the development landscape and an understanding of Central Oregon’s unique challenges,” said Laura Craska Cooper, Housing Works board chair. “She also brings experience in building a team and managing a complex organization. She shares our passion for our mission: Fostering dignity through housing.
Housing Works has very high standards, and the board is confident she will maintain them.” Housing Works engaged a third-party search firm, Acumen Executive Search, to recruit a new leader, and utilized a broad community panel to help identify a successor for the organization. Cooper thanked departing Executive Director David Brandt for his contributions. “David drove significant growth in the Housing Works portfolio, adding several beautiful and significant new properties to the region,” Cooper said. “We wish him well on his ‘re-retirement’.”
Housing Works is the largest affordable housing provider and the housing authority for Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, serving low- and moderate-income Central Oregonians. Our mission, “Fostering Dignity Through Housing,” drives us to ensure that all residents in the region have access to safe, affordable homes. We provide a range of services, including affordable housing, rental assistance, and supportive resources, helping individuals and families stabilize their lives and build brighter futures.
Through award-winning housing developments in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Sisters, Housing Works has been recognized for innovation, economic impact, design, and beautification. In partnership with various community organizations, we offer the necessary resources to support our residents. We are committed to non- discrimination, welcoming all people regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, familial status, or source of income. For more information, visit www.housing-works.org.
