Affordable housing agency names Evans as CEO
The Columbus affordable housing agency Homeport has named a veteran of the organization as its new CEO and president.
Leah Evans, who served as senior vice president of real estate for the nonprofit, will take over the organization
Jan. 1. She replaces Bruce Luecke, who announced in August that he is retiring after six years at the helm.
“Our Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce a leader of Leah’s caliber as our next president and CEO as she has such great knowledge, passion and experience in fulfilling Homeport’s mission,” said Homeport Board Chair Mark Pringle in a news release.
“Leah possesses the qualifications and expertise to guide Homeport to continue to create a lasting impact on the Columbus area.”
Homeport, founded 35 years ago, bills itself as the largest provider of affordable housing based in central Ohio. The
organization operates 42 communities with 2,736 apartments and homes housing 7,000 residents.
Evans, 45, said she will work to build on Luecke’s legacy.
“I come behind a great leader, someone’s who’s really allowed us to grow through partnerships, and making connections for Homeport in the broader community. I look to go deeper in that, into the community.”
Evans takes over the organization as the Columbus area wrestles with rising housing costs that have burdened thousands of residents. According to one estimate, 54,000 Columbus-area families spend at least half their income in rent.
“We need to build more,” Evans said. “How to do we do that and keep doing that will be the challenge and opportunity moving forward.”
Evans, 45, joined Homeport in 2013 after serving as the deputy director of planning and development for the City of Gahanna and, before that, working for the Ohio Department of Development. Evans was raised in Cleveland Heights and holds a master’s degree in City & Regional Planning and a B.A. in Urban Geography, both from Ohio State University
Incoming Homeport Board Chair Emmett Kelly praised the new CEO.
“We are so excited to have Leah Evans, who has such great knowledge, passion and experience – in fulfilling Homeport’s mission – to lead us and build upon the great work and success experienced in the last few years by Homeport and with our public and private partners in the community.”