IAHA Award Winners

ECHO would like to nominate Mark Sosnowski for this award.

Mark began his career at Williamson County Housing Authority on June 1, 1991, as the Social Services Coordinator. He then moved into the Assistant Director position. He has served as the Executive Director for the past 23 years.

Williamson County encompasses 725 public housing units and 168 vouchers in its program. Mark manages 23 staff members, of which 17 are members of two separate unions. Williamson County averages over 2 million dollars in modernization projects each year.

In Mark's first year at Williamson County he designed the Williamson County Summer Food program. Over the years this program has provided literally thousands of meals to children throughout the County. WCHA spearheaded the program until 2014.

Mark was the liaison to some of the very first resident councils. Mark ushered the WCHA through the development of AMPs, as well as the changes to budgets and accounting systems required over the years. He has ridden the waves through changes in administrations and their priorities for Housing in America. Mark has always advocated that everyone needs a decent, safe and sanitary home and everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. Mark was one of the founding members of ECHO. He has served in various roles and been active with the organization since its inception. Mark is an IAHA member and has also served with this organization in various roles and committees. He currently serves as an Executive Board Director. Mark is also a member of NAHRO.

As a member of ECHO, Mark is always present at meetings and trainings held by the organization. He is active in advocating for his fellow housing professionals. Mark offers insight into education topics for the group. And that all sounds so stale... what Mark does often times is give us the "what ifs". He's been doing this job for a long time; he's seen a lot of things. Big changes in how we do our everyday work, the metamorphosis of the tenant, the "we did it this way last year, but surprise, we are doing it this way this year'' stuff that causes us to have to complete paperwork numerous times. Mark makes us think about how we would deal with a situation. And always with a smile; that is definitely one guarantee with Mark. He could be having the worst day, but you would never know because Mark makes you feel like you are his biggest priority at that moment. And you will always get a smile.

On a community and personal level, Mark has been a longtime member of Rotary International. He currently serves as President of the Carterville, IL chapter. He oversees and supports various community projects in that role. According to sources close to Mark, he is a very active member of his church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Mark's first priority over the years has always been his family, providing love, support and care.

WCHA long-time employee Vickie stated that Mark's accomplishments during his years of service to WCHA are just too numerous to list. She described Mark with these words: Mark works very hard and has literally given most of his life to WCHA. He shows up everyday and does his best. And without fail, he advocates for the applicants and tenants of WCHA.

Mark deserves this award with his commitment to WCHA. But it isn't necessarily about a commitment to WCHA, it is the commitment to show up every day and do the best he can for his people: tenants, co-workers, professional colleagues, family, church family and the community as a whole. And always with a smile!

The Outstanding Achievement for Operational Excellence goes to Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority of Rock Island County.

MetroRock is worthy of the IAHA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Creativity because it has successfully transformed from a traditional public housing authority into a diversified affordable housing organization with the capacity to preserve, develop, own, finance, and manage housing through multiple federal, state, and private funding platforms.

Between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2025, MetroRock fundamentally changed the scale and complexity of its operations while maintaining its commitment to serving low-income families throughout Rock Island County.

During this period, the Authority's net position increased from approximately $14.5 million to more than $72 million. Annual operating revenues grew from approximately $6.7 million to $11.6 million. Staffing increased by nearly 80 percent, from 18 employees to 32 employees, creating the organizational capacity necessary to support expanded housing operations, development activity, asset management, compliance, resident services, and housing assistance programs.

Most significantly, MetroRock successfully diversified its portfolio beyond traditional public housing. In 2018, the Authority primarily administered public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Capital Fund activities. Today, MetroRock utilizes a sophisticated blend of affordable housing tools including RAD conversions, Section 18 repositioning, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HUD-insured 223(f) financing, Risk Share mortgages, Housing Trust Fund resources, Federal Home Loan Bank financing, state housing programs, revenue bonds, and public-private partnerships.

The Authority's affordable housing portfolio has expanded dramatically. In addition to preserving existing public housing assets, MetroRock has grown to include:

421 LIHTC units under management through ownership partnerships;

182 LIHTC units wholly owned by affiliated entities; 32 market-rate units;

144 RAD Project-Based Voucher units;

95 Section 18 Project-Based Voucher units;

Multiple developments currently under construction or in predevelopment.

The organization has also expanded its development and ownership structure from a single affiliated entity to a network of nonprofit and ownership subsidiaries capable of supporting complex affordable housing transactions and long-term asset preservation.

MetroRock's nonprofit affiliate, Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation (RICHFC), has become a critical vehicle for affordable housing investment. Developer fee earnings have grown from approximately $26,000 to more than $2.1 million, with an additional $3.35 million anticipated through projects currently in the development pipeline. These revenues are being reinvested into future affordable housing initiatives, creating sustainable local resources for community development.

The Authority's work has also resulted in expanded housing opportunities for families through the strategic use of Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, VASH vouchers, RAD conversions, and Section 18 repositioning activities.

Rather than relying on a single program model, MetroRock has built a diversified housing platform capable of responding to changing community needs and funding environments.

What makes MetroRock particularly deserving of this award is that this growth was not achieved through a single project or funding source. It was accomplished through a deliberate and creative strategy that combined housing preservation, affordable housing development, innovative financing, organizational restructuring, and long-term asset management. The result is an organization that is stronger financially, more sustainable operationally, and better positioned to serve current and future generations of residents.

MetroRock's transformation demonstrates how a public housing authority can move beyond traditional program administration to become a catalyst for affordable housing preservation, production, and community investment. Its accomplishments represent a model of innovation and creativity that can serve as an example for housing authorities throughout Illinois.

The Outstanding Achievement in Resident Relations goes to Knox County Housing Authority.

The Knox County Housing Authority (KCHA) deserves recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Resident Relations for its commitment to developing programs that enhance residents' lives. Through community partnerships, youth engagement, accessible services, and mental health support, KCHA addresses residents' needs beyond housing and creates opportunities for connection, encouragement, and assistance.

In partnership with other community organizations, KCHA operated Summer Food Service Program lunch sites. Trained housing authority staff served lunches five days a week, feeding an average of 25 children daily between the two locations. This program provided a dependable source of meals during the summer, helping families meet an essential need when school meals were unavailable.

KCHA also collaborates with other community organizations to bring monthly mobile reference services into the community.

These services include notarizing, affordable printing, free electronic faxing, and assistance with obtaining free Illinois identification for eligible individuals experiencing homelessness. Bringing these resources to an accessible community location helps residents complete important paperwork and access services needed for everyday life.

 KCHA's commitment to young people extends to back-to-school events at its family housing sites and staff participation in High Five Friday at a local middle school. These activities create opportunities to connect with children and families, support the return to school, and offer students a welcoming and encouraging start to their day.

Mental health support is another significant part of KCHA's resident relations efforts. Its annual Mental Health Resource Fair, now in its third year, connects residents with information and community resources. To further support residents, KCHA added a Mental Health Specialist position to address the evolving needs of its program participants. Working in conjunction with other housing professionals, the Mental Health Specialist provides effective crisis intervention through de-escalation, assessment, behavioral health education, and referral services. Adding this position demonstrates KCHA's commitment to helping residents navigate challenges and connect with appropriate support.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate a thoughtful and responsive approach to resident relations. KCHA staff actively participate in programs, build community partnerships, and make essential resources more accessible. By supporting nutrition, education, mental health, and community connection, the Knox County Housing Authority exemplifies the purpose of the Outstanding Achievement in Resident Relations Award: enhancing the lives of residents through meaningful programs.

The Creativity Award goes to Shanae Anderson of St. Clair County Housing Authority

Shanae Anderson has been a dedicated member of the agency for 19 years, demonstrating exceptional leadership, commitment, and professionalism throughout her career. Over the years, she has steadily advanced within the organization and now serves as the Program Director for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8} Program. In this role, Shanae has embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and has consistently looked for innovative ways to strengthen her team and improve program operations.

This past year, Shanae's creativity and leadership have had a remarkable impact on the growth and development of the HCV team. Understanding that training and retaining staff requires more than traditional methods, she has developed engaging and interactive learning opportunities that keep team members motivated and invested in their work. Through creative training techniques such as The Price Is Right, Team Chat activities, friendly competitions, and other hands-on challenges, Shanae has transformed learning into an enjoyable and impactful experience. These methods not only build technical knowledge but also encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and confidence among staff.

As a result of her leadership and mentorship, the team has experienced tremendous growth over the past year. Shanae has fostered an environment where staff feel empowered to make decisions, take ownership of their responsibilities, and support one another. Her encouragement and belief in her employees' abilities have inspired three one-year tenure team members to advance into Specialist positions, demonstrating her commitment to developing future leaders within the agency.

The HCV Program is complex and continually evolving, requiring staff to navigate policy changes, regulatory requirements, and demanding workloads. Despite these challenges, Shanae has created a positive and supportive culture where employees enjoy coming to work and are motivated to succeed. New staff members have quickly gained confidence and are performing at a high level because of the foundation she has established. Her team's willingness to collaborate, share knowledge, and encourage one another is a direct reflection of the culture she has cultivated.

Shanae's dedication to employee development, her innovative approach to training, and her ability to inspire growth within her team make her truly deserving of recognition. Her creativity has not only strengthened the HCV Program but has also empowered staff to become engaged, knowledgeable, and accountable professionals. We are proud to nominate Shanae Anderson for the Creativity Award and celebrate her outstanding contributions to the agency and the team she leads.