Missoula Housing Authority Promotes Three Employees

MISSOULA – Tuesday, January 21, 2025 – Missoula Housing Authority (MHA) announced today that Gwen Rafuse has been promoted to Director of HUD Programs following the retirement of long-time director Jim McGrath. Gwen began her career at MHA in 2020 as a Program Specialist in the Rental Assistance department and was promoted to Assistant Director of HUD Programs last year.

During this time, Rafuse has focused especially on permanent supportive housing (PSH), working closely with supportive service agencies committed to supporting tenants who are housed through PSH programs HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), Shelter Plus Care Program (S+C), and the Foster Youth Initiative (FYI). She is also responsible for managing the implementation of 30 PSH vouchers dedicated to Blue Heron Place, which opened in 2023 and combines rental assistance and wrap-around services designed to help residents succeed in maintaining housing.

Gwen will oversee all HUD-funded rental assistance programs. These programs include the Housing Choice Voucher program, the Continuum of Care Permanent Supportive Housing, and special purpose vouchers such as HUD-VASH for homeless veterans. She will also manage Mainstream vouchers for individuals with disabilities, vouchers for the Foster Youth Initiative, and Emergency Housing Vouchers with the support of six staff members.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to grow within such an important agency in the Missoula community,” Gwen said. “The MHA voucher department assists hundreds of our neighbors in securing and maintaining housing with HUD-funded rental assistance. With the changes in the rental markets, this continues to be a vital resource for many to have safe and stable housing.”

Earlier this month, MHA celebrated the retirement of both Jim McGrath and Elizabeth Marshall, opening several key roles in the organization.

Kayla Brewer moved to Elizabeth Marshall’s position in the Property Management department, becoming the Property Manager overseeing the Palace Apartments, Uptown Apartments, and California Street. Brewer was MHA’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspector and Program Specialist for G-J for four years.

Charlotte Perry returned to the Rental Assistance Department, taking on the role of Assistant Director of HUD Programs previously held by Gwen Rafuse. Perry began her career with MHA in July 2021 as the Housing Access Coordinator before moving to the Property Management department overseeing Silvertip Apartments, 115 units located on the banks of the Clark Fork River.

“These internal hirings are a wonderful reflection on the Missoula Housing Authority. We take great pride in being an employer who invests in our personnel,” said Sam Oliver, MHA Executive Director. “MHA has a long track record of promoting individuals from within the organization. We are proud of our employees and strive to empower career advancement within the organization and employee retention.”

 

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About MHA

The Missoula Housing Authority is an independent nonprofit public organization and the largest housing authority in Montana with a portfolio of 1,178 rent-restricted apartments and 1,200 rental assistance vouchers, providing affordable housing to more than 4,500 very low-, low and middle-income veterans, families with children, elderly and disabled, foster youth and homeless, as well as working Missoulians. MHA has been creating stable, affordable housing since 1978. For more information, visit www.missoulahousing.org.

Press Release PDF

Media Contact
Sara Stout
(406) 549-4113, ext. 727#
sara@missoulahousing.org
www.missoulahousing.org

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Missoula Housing Authority Invites Community to Celebrate Jim McGrath and Elizabeth Marshall