The Boulder County commissioners have named Susana Lopez-Baker as executive director of the Boulder County Housing Authority and director of the new Boulder County Housing Department.

“I’m firmly committed to working collaboratively with the commissioners, staff, residents, and community partners to address the full housing continuum, from homelessness to homeownership, in Boulder County,” Lopez-Baker said in a statement. “Together, I believe we will continue to ensure that community members have access to affordable housing and the supports they need to be successful.”

After working for Boulder County early in her career, Lopez-Baker returned in September 2022 to serve as deputy director of the Housing and Human Services Department. She stepped into the role of interim executive director of the Boulder County Housing Authority in August 2023.

She previously served as the community engagement and outreach manager for the Brighton Housing Authority and the director of community engagement and equity for the YWCA of Boulder County. Lopez-Baker also spent more than seven years in program roles within the Community Action Programs Division of the Boulder County Community Services Department and has been an adjunct faculty member and academic advisor at two community colleges since 2009.

The commissioners highlighted Lopez-Baker’s open and inclusive communication style, her transparency in financials and management decisions and her efforts to build strong relationships both regionally and within the Housing Authority team in a press release.In April, the commissioners said they would create the Boulder County Housing Department to bring together all of the county’s housing and homelessness-related programs and services.

And voters approved the Affordable and Attainable Housing Tax in November, which means new funding is expected to be available in 2025 for affordable housing programs, according to the release.

“Susana’s extensive background in community engagement and her proven leadership in housing initiatives make her the ideal person to lead the Boulder County Housing Authority and our new Housing Department,” Boulder County commissioner Marta Loachamin said in a statement. “Boulder County residents have continued to tell us that housing is a critical concern, and we feel confident that under Susana’s guidance, we will achieve great strides in providing housing solutions for our community.”

In this new dual role, Lopez-Baker joins the Boulder County executive team, reporting to the commissioners and to Jana Petersen, county administrator.