The City of Santa Monica is recruiting for a new Director of Housing and Human Services, seeking what it calls a visionary leader to tackle the community's most pressing housing and homelessness challenges through a newly reorganized department.
The position, which offers an annual salary range of $209,592 to $258,756, represents a key role on the City Manager's Executive Team and comes with considerable political and departmental support to address urgent community needs.
The current director, Heather Averick, was appointed to the role in October 2023 when the department was first established. A Santa Monica resident with more than 15 years of experience in affordable housing and working with underserved populations, Averick previously served as director of supportive housing for San Diego-based Affirmed Housing, where she oversaw 19 permanent supportive housing communities across California. City Hall confirmed Averick is leaving the position but no further details were provided.
The Housing and Human Services Department was created in June 2023 when the Santa Monica City Council approved the 2023-2025 biennial budget, dividing functions formerly combined under the Community Services Department. The reorganization aimed to provide focused leadership on homelessness services and programs, enabling implementation of initiatives funded by Measures CS and GS, which provide additional tax revenue for affordable housing and homelessness efforts.
The department operates with 86 full-time equivalent employees and an approved biennial budget of $60 million for fiscal years 2025-2027. It comprises four key divisions: Administration, Housing, Human Services, and Homelessness Prevention and Intervention.
The new director will oversee a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including developing and implementing strategies to increase affordable housing opportunities through new development, acquisition and rehabilitation. The role manages housing assistance programs including Section 8 and other federal voucher programs, as well as the Santa Monica Housing Authority.
As a liaison designated by the City Manager, the director carries cross-departmental authority to lead homelessness efforts and develop a comprehensive homelessness strategic plan. This includes coordinating programs across departments, monitoring success and building relationships with local, regional, state and federal representatives to advance city priorities.
The position also manages direct service programs for youth and families through community and out-of-school time programs aimed at improving educational, social and emotional outcomes. The director leads partnerships with local educational institutions, businesses and nonprofit organizations while identifying revenue-producing opportunities and community resources.
City officials are seeking a candidate with strong understanding of affordable housing finance and a creative, entrepreneurial approach to leveraging financial options for projects. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working with diverse community opinions and perspectives while demonstrating expertise in housing and human services issues.
Key priorities for the new director include maintaining momentum on existing initiatives, setting departmental direction and culture aligned with the city's vision, and supporting the Human Services team, particularly programs under federal scrutiny. The role requires working with the city's diversity, equity and inclusion team to ensure service access for all communities.
The successful candidate must demonstrate high emotional intelligence and lead with humility, empathy and a team-first mindset. Officials emphasize the need for a mission-driven, people-centered leader who prioritizes team and community needs while showing genuine care for colleagues and community members.
Minimum qualifications include graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and seven years of progressively responsible professional experience managing human services, community services or affordable housing programs.