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Public Housing Authority hires new executive director

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) Board of Directors has appointed a new Executive Director to head the state’s public housing agency.

Hakim Ouansafi


Effective Jan. 3, 2012, Hakim Ouansafi will become the ninth executive to serve HPHA since 1997.

He replaces Denise Wise who resigned in October 2011 for personal reasons.

Ouansafi is a native of Morocco and a US citizen for more than 20 years. He arrived in Hawaii 13 years ago from California. He is the father of three locally adopted siblings.

Ouansafi’s professional experience includes an extensive background in the private sector, working as a long-time executive in Hawaii’s hotel industry, and serving as a consultant on commercial and housing development projects.

Ouansafi is the volunteer Chairman for the nonprofit and charitable organization Muslim Association of Hawaii, and a volunteer board member for the federal law enforcement foundation (Hawaii chapter). He also is a civil service commissioner with the City & County of Honolulu.

The HPHA Board unanimously approved Ouansafi’s appointment during its December meeting. Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Patricia McManaman told the HPHA Board that Mr. Ouansafi’s application “really stood out.”

Board Chairman David Gierlach previously told a legislative committee that hiring a new executive director “with excellent management skills” demonstrates the agency’s commitment to improvements and change.

The HPHA is administratively attached to DHS and manages more than 6,000 public housing units scattered across 80-plus sites statewide.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Ouansafi’s selection Dec. 12. HUD is a major source of federal funding to HPHA and oversees compliance of federal housing laws involving HPHA.

The HPHA’s mission is to provide Hawaii residents with affordable housing and shelter without discrimination. Efforts focus on operating and maintaining low income public housing, administering a large Housing Choice Voucher program, and striving for the efficient and fair delivery of housing services to the people of Hawaii.

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