ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

This week's episode of ChangeMakers profiles La Shelle Dozier, the Executive Director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency since 2009. In her role, Dozier oversees strategies to uplift and empower low-income communities across Sacramento County. She ensures affordable, safe, and decent housing for over 14,000 families through various programs run by the agency. Under Dozier's leadership over the past decade, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency has supported the development of over 23,000 affordable housing units in the region. This incredible impact has truly transformed lives and communities. Tune in to be inspired by Dozier's vision, leadership, and dedication to creating more equitable access to housing in Sacramento County and beyond.
About La Shelle Dozier: La Shelle is Executive Director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, serving in this capacity since 2009 after holding the interim position during the previous year.As Executive Director, Ms. Dozier oversees community development and revitalization strategies in the City and County of Sacramento, as well as the provision of housing for low income residents using a wide variety of programs and financing mechanisms. She is responsible for the Agency’s function as the Housing Authority for the City and County of Sacramento which administers federally funded rental assistance programs to provide safe, decent housing that serves more than 14,000 low income families. Ms. Dozier is responsible for administering the Agency’s $211.9 million budget for 2020 with a workforce of 246 employees.Ms. Dozier leads SHRA as the largest public funder and provider of affordable housing in Sacramento, assisting with $175 million in financing, including bonds and loans in 2019 to help build or improve multifamily communities for low income residents, to help families purchase an affordable home, and to rehabilitate or build affordable single/multifamily housing. The Agency manages a $333 million affordable housing portfolio. Over the past 20 years, SHRA has assisted more than 22,800 units in multifamily properties through the application of various financing tools.Ms. Dozier previously served as the Director of the Sacramento Housing Authority. She was responsible for leadership oversight of the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV/formerly Section 8), and the conventional public housing program. These programs provide rent assistance for more than 50,000 low income people, including elderly and disabled residents in the City and County of Sacramento. She was also responsible for monitoring and addressing the continued changes in major national policy that housing authorities across the country are facing, including significant reductions in structural and operational funds.

In part two of their conversation, Shaundra discusses the significance of being named the second African-American woman in the nation to be designated as a NAHRO Fellow. This distinguished honor from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials recognizes excellence and leadership in the affordable housing industry. Shaundra also shares some of the pivotal events that happened during her time as president of the regional chapter of NAHRO. Shaundra will have the chance to share stories and highlights from her leadership experience with the prominent housing industry organization. Tune in to hear more about her barrier-breaking career in public and affordable housing.
About Shaundra Clark: Shaundra, a native of Mississippi, has served in the public housing industry for nearly 30 years. She has been the Executive Director for the Tifton Housing Authority since June 2000. Prior to employment with the Tifton Housing Authority, Shaundra was employed as the Director of Administration with the Albany Housing Authority.Shaundra received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Stillman College and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University. She was designated a National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Fellow in October 2019 at the NAHRO Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. She was the second African American woman to be designated as a NAHRO Fellow in the country. As a NAHRO Fellow, Shaundra acts as a mentor to housing professionals across the country and she has served as a panelist for the Executive Director Boot Camp. Additionally, she sits on the national NAHRO small agency advisory committee which recommends housing policy affecting small housing authorities.Shaundra is the President of the Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (SERC-NAHRO), which covers 10 states. Shaundra is the second African American female to serve as president and the 5th African American president in SERC’s 80-year history. As president of SERC, Shaundra established a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee to bring DEI awareness and training to the Southeastern Region.Also, under Shaundra’s leadership, she worked with Brooks-Jeffrey (web developer) to develop the Tifton Housing Authority Mobile Application, which was the first of its kind in the country. Other accomplishments include the establishment of Tifton Housing Partners, Inc., a non-profit subsidiary of the THA, as well as the substantial rehabilitation of Deas Apartments.Over the years, Shaundra has generously given her time to several community agencies, institutions, and outreach ministries (educational, social, civic, and faith-based) in the Dougherty and Tift County areas. Locally, she serves on the PLIGHT (Proud Loving Individuals Giving a Hand to Teens) Board, Ruth’s Cottage Board and the Tifton Council for the Arts Board. Ms. Clark served on the Ruth’s Cottage steering committee during its capital campaign for the new facility, which was completed in 2021. Shaundra has been a committed member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (a national public service organization of college educated women) for 34 years. She is also a devoted member of Christ’s Church and serves as the Financial Committee Chair.Shaundra served as president of both the Tift County Rotary Club and the Tifton Rotary Club. While president of the Tifton Rotary Club, she worked with club members to establish an annual scholarship in honor of Leon Benefield, a former District Governor and member of the Tifton Rotary Club.Lastly, in February 2021 Clark was selected as one of four outstanding alumni for 2020 at her beloved alma mater, Stillman College.