Susan Anderson

Executive Director/CEO

Rock Island Housing Authority/Community Housing Solutions

Ms. Susan Anderson has been the Executive Director for RIHA since 2000.  She established Community Housing Solutions (CHS), a not-for-profit corporation, in 2004 to reduce RIHA dependence on HUD subsidies. CHS is an integral RIHA partner in the provision of quality housing to a broad-based market. It allows RIHA to return to its legislative roots as the developer and manager of housing.

Susan has more than 27 years of leadership experience in private and public housing management, urban development, recovery strategies and implementation throughout the Midwest. She began her career as a private sector project-based management staff member overseeing all aspects of housing including leasing, maintenance activities, rent collection, bill payment and monthly operating statement preparation. Additional experience includes eight years of project-based management for numerous private sector projects. In total, Ms. Anderson has 11 years experience as a public sector site-based project manager, 19 years experience in leadership roles developing and implementing Project-Based Management models in both the private and public sectors and 13 years experience in leadership roles at Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). 

Ms. Anderson has received multiple certifications during her public-sector career including of Public Housing Manager and Rutgers University’s Certified Housing Authority Executive Director. In addition, Ms. Anderson has been recognized by the Illinois Association of Housing Authorities (IAHA) for “Operational Excellence” and received an “Award of Merit in Housing and Community Development” from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) in 2005. In 2006, RIHA received NAHRO “Awards of Merit” for its Monthly Newsletter, Affordable In-fill Housing, Administrative Offices and the development of mixed-income Loft Apartments. In 2007, the organization received awards for its Self- sufficiency Program, Elderly Social Services L.I.T.E.S. Program, Neighborhood Networks Program, Maintenance Training Program, Valley Homes Relocation and Community Relations initiative, and Community Policing Program.