Housing Authority of Hopkinsville announces change in leadership

The Housing Authority of Hopkinsville announced Monday the pending retirement of its executive director, Vickie Smiley, and the appointment of her successor, former Community and Development Services staff member Laura Faulkner.

Smiley has worked for the Housing Authority for 25 years, beginning as an administrative assistant, and served as executive director for the past 14 years, the agency said in a press release. Her last day at work will be May 23.

“During her tenure as executive director they have constructed or rehabbed 711 units in six different sites for a total investment into the community of $96,133,628,” the release states.

Faulker, who was a CDS employee for 16 years, began working for the Housing Authority on May 1. She held several positions at CDS, including Community Development planner, Legacy Hopkinsville coordinator and manager of Community Development.

‘She has extensive experience administering housing assistance programs, rental property management, non-profit administration, and community program initiatives,” the release states.

The Housing Authority was established in 1949 and initially provided 180 low-rent housing units in the city, accordion to the agency’s website.

In addition to public housing for low-income residents (now called New Hope properties), the Housing Authority oversees Section 8 housing, the Westwood and Foster senior homes on West Seventh Street, and programs afflicted with the Veterans Administration.