Chicago Housing Authority Chief Tracey Scott Resigns

Tracey Scott’s upcoming departure as CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority signals a major leadership change for the nation’s third-largest public housing agency.

The CHA announced Monday that Angela Hurlock, chair of the organization’s board of commissioners, will serve as interim CEO while a search for Scott’s successor is underway, WTTW reported. Scott’s tenure ends Nov. 1, closing out four and a half years marked by both housing reform efforts and growing community frustration.

Scott, who earned $300,000 annually, expressed pride in her work at the CHA.

“Housing serves as a foundation that helps people unlock opportunities,” she said. “Over the past four years at CHA, I’ve focused on encouraging innovation to expand and improve housing in strong communities, while supporting families and seniors in reaching their goals.”

Scott was appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and tasked with overhauling the city’s housing policies. However, critics argued that her leadership failed to deliver on key promises, including progress on the CHA’s Plan for Transformation, a long-standing initiative to replace former high-rise public housing with mixed-income apartments.

With over 120,000 Chicagoans still on CHA waiting lists, the unmet demand for affordable housing remains stark.

During her time at the CHA, Scott faced scrutiny for approving a Lightfoot-backed deal to allow the Chicago Fire soccer team to develop a training facility on CHA-owned land. That project, which covers 23 acres of land once occupied by the ABLA Homes, proceeded despite opposition from Lightfoot’s successor, Brandon Johnson, who campaigned against the deal.

Meanwhile, plans for a $150 million high school on another CHA-owned site have stalled.

As a South Side resident and executive director of Claretian Associates, Hurlock brings experience with housing initiatives to her role as interim CEO.

— Andrew Terrell