Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams on Monday named Hayley Banerjee as the new Director of the Housing & Community Development Department effective immediately. Banerjee has served as the der[artment's interim director since April, when the former director, Deborah Lonon, was named assistant county manager.
“During her time with Housing & Community Development in various roles and, especially as interim director, Hayley has proven to be an effective leader and someone who truly cares about the needs of our community,” Williamssaid.
"Her background in working with local organizations and directly with some of our most vulnerable populations gives her valuable insight related to housing and other areas that this department helps address," according to the county manager.
Banerjee has worked in H&CD since 2016 and, prior to serving as interim director, she held positions as community development coordinator and community development specialist where she worked closely with community organizations receiving Continuum of Care and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, among other responsibilities.
She has also held positions with the University of Georgia School of Social Work as a part-time instructor in the Master of Social Work program, with the Athens Area Homeless Shelter as an Emergency Shelter Program Coordinator, with the University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development as a Fellow coordinating a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, and with Advantage Behavioral Health Systems as a Homeless Day Service Center Case Manager and with the Assertive Community Treatment Team providing intensive mental health case management services to individuals.
"Working directly with individuals and families in Athens-Clarke County has given me valuable perspective on the needs of this community and has given me a lasting reminder of the importance of this department’s work," Banerjee said. "I am honored to serve as director of the Housing & Community Development Department and am excited to work collaboratively to support and improve the lives of all our residents."
Banerjee holds a Bachelor of Social Work Master of Social Work from UGA, with a concentration in community empowerment and program development. She has served as a member of the Athens-Clarke County Homeless Coalition, the Athens Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Committee, the Georgia Homeless Management Information System Collaborative Steering Committee, the University of Georgia Institute for Nonprofit Organizations Advisory Council, and the Mayor's Task Force on Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. She also plays the violin in the Athens Symphony Orchestra.
The Athens-Clarke County Housing &Community Development Department's mission is to provide funding for the creation and rehabilitation of affordable housing, to foster and coordinate services for disadvantaged populations, and to promote economic mobility among residents of Athens-Clarke County.
For more information on the Housing and Community Development Department, visit www.accgov.com/hcd or call 706-613-3155.