Newport News housing authority director to retire
Wilds to step down in June after 25 years in position
Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority Executive Director Karen Wilds announced she will retire after 25 years in the position and almost 40 years with the organization.
The authority is Newport News’s redevelopment arm, which aims to create affordable housing, viable neighborhoods and “opportunities for self-sufficiency.”
It acquires property for redevelopment, undertakes property rehabilitation, administers over 3,068 Housing Choice Vouchers and owns and manages over 1,504 affordable low-income units across the city.
Wilds joined the authority in 1985 as its community development director. She was promoted to executive director in 1999. She plans to step down June 30, saying that “it’s just time.”
“I turned 70 In February, and I think maybe that’s sort of time to retire,” she said. “I think it’s been a good run. And it was sort of hard to come to that decision. But when it hit me, it hit me.”
Wilds said she plans to stay in the area and may continue to work with some local nonprofits.
She said she would appreciate having more free time, but also said she has been so used to continuously working that it may be hard to “just stop.”
“It’ll take some adjustment, but I’m looking forward to it,” Wilds said.
As executive director, she oversaw all authority programs and staff.
According to Wilds, the authority has an annual budget exceeding $53 million and a staff of more than 100 employees.
The authority’s board of commissioners credits Wilds for leading the department in various property acquisitions, community improvements and revamping housing rehabilitation programs.
Wilds said she is proud of helping revitalize the city’s Southeast Community, particularly the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, an effort to provide affordable mixed-income housing and community development in the neighborhood.
The authority played a significant role in helping the city secure a $30 million federal grant in 2019 to implement the initiative.
“Now, everything is really coming to full fruition,” she said of the Southeast Community.
Wilds said the authority’s board of commissioners is still working on the process of finding her replacement.
Authority Chair Lisa Wallace-Davis said in a release that Wilds “exemplifies excellence” and “will leave behind a remarkable legacy.”
She said the authority is proud of the work Wilds has done and that she will be “greatly missed.”