Ordinarily there wouldn’t be a lot of focus on this City of Greensboro job, but with a current housing crisis that’s spiraling out of control, this job – and who occupies it – takes on a whole new importance.

The City of Greensboro has just appointed Samuel Hunter as director of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, effective Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Hunter, who’s a Greensboro resident, most recently served as the assistant director of Neighborhood Services for the City of Winston-Salem – a position he’s held since October of 2023.

In that capacity, he supervised the divisions of Code Enforcement, Lending, Community Engagement and Housing Services for the big city just down the interstate.

Hunter began his career in Winston-Salem in 2019 as a planner before moving into project management, where he established and facilitated commercial and residential rehabilitation programs in underserved communities in that city.

City of Greensboro Assistant City Manager Nasha McCray said this week that Hunter brings a strong record of experience in housing and redevelopment: “Mr. Hunter joins the City of Greensboro with the unique skills of administering neighborhood improvement programs to include managing a $30 million budget for the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, which created more than 600 affordable homes. As the City advances the Housing GSO and Road to 10K housing initiatives, Samuel will be instrumental in shaping and implementing a comprehensive housing strategy for Greensboro.”

As director in Greensboro, Hunter will lead an integrated approach to housing development, policy implementation and resource allocation.

His responsibilities will include collaborating across sectors to remove barriers, prioritizing affordability and leading innovative housing programs.

The department will leverage state and federal funding for maximum impact.

Hunter said he’s ready to take on the challenges of Greensboro’s growing housing needs – which present truly big challenges right now, maybe more than ever.

 “Greensboro is experiencing rapid growth, making this an exciting time to lead this department,” he said. “Forming strategic partnerships with private sector and non-profit stakeholders will generate investment in Greensboro, resulting in a variety of housing options for all residents at a time when the market is scarce.”

Hunter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from East Carolina University and a Master of Public Affairs in Local Government Management from UNC-Greensboro.

The appointment comes at a time when Greensboro and Guilford County – and the entire region really – are in the middle of major efforts to address a big housing shortage.

The “Housing GSO” plan, adopted in 2020, laid out a 10-year strategy to create new affordable housing opportunities, preserve existing housing stock and support neighborhood reinvestment. That plan identified a need for tens of thousands of additional housing units to meet expected growth and it called for both public and private sector involvement to meet the demand.

Recently, Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston called for a major all hands on deck new housing summit and initiative which will get rolling right after the new Greensboro mayor is elected.

Alongside of Housing GSO, the city launched the “Road to 10K” initiative, which is intended to add 10,000 housing units by 2030.

City officials have said the goal is to ease pressure on a tight housing market, where demand has been outpacing supply for years. The effort has included city incentives for developers, partnerships with non-profits and expanded use of federal funding streams such as HOME and Community Development Block Grants.

Alston told the Rhino Times recently that the county will need about 100,000 new homes in the next five years.

Greensboro has seen mounting pressure from residents and builders alike to address affordability concerns. The average cost of housing has climbed rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in many neighborhoods, long-time residents have worried about being priced out. Housing GSO calls for a mix of solutions – from creating mixed-income communities to expanding access to financing for low- and moderate-income buyers and renters.

City leaders have repeatedly emphasized that housing availability ties directly to Greensboro’s broader economic growth strategy. Companies considering Greensboro for new jobs or expansions have cited housing as a key factor for attracting and retaining workers. The Road to 10K plan, with its focus on ramping up production, is seen as central to keeping Greensboro competitive with other cities in the state.

Hunter will be stepping into his new role as both of the city initiatives continue to unfold. His department will be responsible for aligning city housing policy with the goals outlined in Housing GSO while also working to meet the numerical target of the Road to 10K plan.

The department has already faced hurdles – from rising construction costs to community pushback on higher-density projects – and city officials have acknowledged the challenges ahead. Hunter’s background in neighborhood revitalization, code enforcement and program management is expected to play a role in navigating those issues.

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