Chicago Housing Authority Loses Another Senior Leader

The Chicago Housing Authority is bleeding senior talent, with its human resources chief the latest to head for the exits.

Dominick Maniscalco, who has served as CHA’s deputy chief of HR since 2021, resigned the first week of September to become chief HR officer for Milwaukee Public Schools. He is the ninth senior leader to leave the nation’s third-largest housing authority in the past year, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

In an email to staff, Maniscalco praised colleagues’ “dedication and talent” and said he was proud of how the department had moved HR forward since 2021. He declined further comment. CHA spokesperson Matthew Aguilar confirmed the resignation but declined to elaborate, citing personnel rules.

Maniscalco’s exit follows a string of high-level shakeups at the agency, which oversees more than 65,000 households and owns more than 21,000 public housing units across Chicago. Former CEO Tracey Scott left earlier this year, while other leaders — including chief development officer Ann McKenzie and chief of staff Dan Cruz — were terminated without public explanation. Former COO Eric Garrett resigned in January, and general counsel Ellen Harris stepped down in August after staff accused her of fostering a toxic workplace.

The turnover has proven costly. CHA paid out more than $787,000 in separation agreements to senior staff over the past five years. Ryan Ross, a senior director of asset management, was ousted for violating procedures that cost the agency over $19,000.

The churn comes as CHA is without a permanent CEO. Interim chief Angela Hurlock stepped down Sept. 2, leaving board chair Matthew Brewer to take over as operating chairman. The agency floated retired Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. as its next leader, but the vote has been delayed while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reviews conflict-of-interest waivers tied to his appointment.

Despite the leadership vacuum, CHA is pressing ahead with initiatives aimed at expanding housing options and boosting safety for residents. But the rapid-fire departures at the top of the agency cast doubt on its ability to deliver.

— Eric Weilbacher