The Portland Housing Authority has hired Mark Wiesendanger as deputy executive director, bringing nearly two decades of experience in affordable housing finance, development and community-focused leadership.
Wiesendanger will oversee operational and resident service initiatives and support staff across the organization. He will report to Executive Director Leah Bruns.
The new deputy most recently worked at MaineHousing, where he helped finance affordable housing developments across the state, including properties owned and managed by the housing authority.
After years on the finance side of housing, Wiesendanger said the new role will allow him to work more directly with tenants and communities.
“I’ve been in the housing world for a long time, but always at a certain distance from the people we’re actually serving,” said Wiesendanger, a Portland resident. “Now I get to see that up close, and that’s incredibly exciting to me. I know this city, I know these neighborhoods and I know some of the people living in these properties. I want to make sure they have what they need and that Portland continues to be a place where people can thrive.”
Founded in 1943, the Portland Housing Authority owns and manages more than 1,300 affordable housing units across more than 20 properties and administers more than 2,000 housing vouchers in the Portland area.
