AHA Board Bids Farewell to Paul Reid
AHA Commissioner Paul Reid has retired from the Board after 19 years of service. When he was appointed to the AHA Board by Mayor Paul Tauer in April 1988, AHA was assisting 986 families and 
managed an annual operating budget of $2.3 million. At the end of Paul’s tenure earlier this year, AHA had grown to assist more than 3,000 families with an operating budget exceeding $25 million annually. An additional 148 housing units are under construction that will be added to AHA’s portfolio in 2007, including partnership units, Tax Credit units, and units owned by the Aurora Housing Corporation. AHA is now serving a broader range of clients, including seniors, homeless families, and people with disabilities, as well as more clients.
Reid had served on the Board for two years when he was elected Chairman in 1990. He was continuously re-elected Chairman for the next 15 years. In 2006, he was elected to serve as Vice Chairman, an office he held until January of 2007.
Reid was instrumental in securing funding for the Urban Homesteading program in 1991. Under the Urban Homesteading program the Housing Authority developed a partnership with the City of Aurora and the Aurora Housing Corporation to acquire, renovate and sell HUD foreclosed properties to first-time homebuyers. Additionally, it was through Reid’s determination that AHA received funding in 1992 for another home ownership program, HOPE III.
Reid has been the Vice President of Commissioners for the Mountain Plains Council of NAHRO (National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials).
The Mountain Plains Regional Council (MPRC) of NAHRO is one of eight regional councils nationwide established to facilitate widespread participation in NAHRO programs and to serve as a means of recognizing the special local interests of its members.
As Vice President for Commissioners, Reid assisted in the creation of a new web-based professional development system for commissioners, improved the quality of commissioner tracks at both the Mountain Plains and the Colorado NAHRO conferences, and improved communication among commissioners in the region.
"Paul provided tremendous leadership to the Housing Authority during his tenure on the Board. Not only has the Authority grown in size and scope, but it now has a strong financial foundation that will ensure its sustainability for years to come. All of us at the Authority are grateful for his guidance. He has been a valued asset and a good friend to the Authority and we wish him well,” said Preston Prince, Executive Director of the Authority.