Photo: Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

From the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority • March 25, 2022

The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has hired Jason Hale as its first Executive Director.  Jason will begin employment with the HRA on April 25, 2022.

Jason will report to the HRA board.  He is appointed to plan, direct, and supervise the operations of the HRA by implementing HRA policy as approved by the HRA Board of Commissioners. 

When accepting the position Jason said, "I am delighted to be selected to serve as the Cook County HRA's first Executive Director. We all know the challenge that finding and providing housing has become for our businesses, neighbors, and would-be residents. I am eager to work with the residents, businesses, local government and agency partners of Cook County to get more housing built and ensure people earning a variety of incomes have a safe, stable place to call home." 

Mary Somnis, HRA board chair said, “We were fortunate to have a great group of applicants for this position, several of them Cook County residents.  Jason was selected for his career background and experience.  We were unanimous in our interest in his history which includes working for the City of Duluth and their HRA.  Jason is eager to learn how to best address our housing needs in Cook County.  With his HRA experience, he will educate us simultaneously.

One of the first priorities for the HRA board is to create and implement a plan for community engagement.  We look forward to that, as we know our community is eager to work together toward solutions to our housing needs.”  

Any questions about the HRA, between now and April 25 can be directed to Mary Somnis at [email protected] 281-410-0412.