CHANGE - Chicago Housing Authority | About Us | Board Of Commissioners

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) was created by an act of Illinois General Assembly after the State Housing Board identified a need for an agency to administer to the construction and management of public housing in Chicago. The Board came into existence in January, 1939 when the Mayor of Chicago appointed the first five CHA Commissioners.

Based on statutory requirements, the Mayor appoints the ten-member Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Housing Authority (3 of whom are CHA residents), subject to confirmation by the Chicago City Council. The law requires all Commissioners to be residents of Chicago and not be employed by the Authority. Commissioners serve staggered five-year terms and, as the governing body, set policies governing the operations of CHA and charting the direction of current and future programs. Board action is effected by adoption of Resolutions approving or authorizing the Chief Executive Officer or his designee to implement policy and/or conduct business.

Board Commissioners also hold seats on one of three committees, which review and submit matters for consideration of the board. More information on Board committees is listed beneath the following biographies of board members.

The following are the current Commissioners for the Chicago Housing Authority:

Martin Nesbitt, Commissioner and Chairperson

Based on the CHA Bylaws, the Commissioners shall choose from their numbers a Vice Chairperson. In addition, the Chairperson appoints the Board Secretary, Custodian and Keeper of Records whose appointment is voted on by the full Board.

Board of Commissioners Staff

Esperanza Brito
Staff Liaison
(312) 913-7278
E-mail: EBrito@thecha.org

Avis Ellis
Executive Administrative Assistant
(312) 913-7294
Email: ajellis@thecha.org

Maurice Carter
Personal Assistant to BOC
(312) 913-7280
E-mail: MCarter@thecha.org

Pamela Mitchell Boyd
Managing Director of the BOC
(312) 913-7368
E-mail: pmitchel@thecha.org