Wesley Housing President & CEO to Retire at Year’s End

Departure Comes with Leading Nonprofit Affordable Housing Developer Positioned for Continued Impact

 

Alexandria, VA – May 20, 2022: Today longtime President/CEO of Wesley Housing Shelley S. Murphy announced her intent to retire at the end of the year, after a remarkable 15-year tenure leading the organization. Under Murphy’s leadership, the organization has grown its total assets from $107.8M to $303.3M, owned unit count from 1,139 to 1,834, and employee headcount from 40 to nearly 100.  The organization is well positioned to have an even greater impact in the years ahead by providing affordable housing and supportive services to the community.

In 2019, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, Wesley Housing adopted a five-year strategic plan designed to respond to the expanding and changing housing market in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan region. Implementation of the plan is ahead of schedule and the financial and organizational infrastructure is in place to ensure Wesley’s ongoing and continued support of its mission and vision.

“The Board of Directors is tremendously grateful to Shelley for her leadership and looks forward to working with her to ensure a seamless transition,” said Wesley Housing Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Gibb.

Under Murphy’s leadership, the pace of Wesley’s growth will continue through 2022, with the completion of 367 new construction units, 124 units rehabilitated, and at least 200 new units acquired. The future pipeline is over 600 units for projects where Wesley currently has site control.

Wesley Housing’s success would not have been possible without the innovative partnerships forged across its various lines of business.  For instance, the real estate development team is collaborating with four different local faith-based organizations (FBOs) on four different projects—all in different stages of the development process.

At the same time, Wesley Housing wholly-owned subsidiary, Wesley Property Management (WPM), sustained its commitment to maintaining quality communities by tending to each of its 22 owned and managed properties.  The property management and resident services teams provide support to the over 3,200 residents living in its communities, addressed all concerns during unprecedented times, and ensured its properties met the highest safety standards.

Wesley Housing’s efforts have been recognized by peers and residents alike. For example, last month Wesley Housing was selected by the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) as the Developer of the Year; previously also receiving the same honor in 2017 and 2006.  In 2021, Affordable Housing Finance named Wesley in its “Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers of 2020”, one of only nine non-profits to make the list.  In 2019, Wesley Housing was recognized by the Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) as a Certified Organization for Resident Engagement & Services (CORES), which identifies owners of multifamily affordable properties and service organizations working in multifamily affordable properties that provide resident services provision in line with a robust coordination system. The organization has become one of the most far-reaching developers, owners, and operators of affordable housing in the DMV and remains committed to building up lives.

“While I will miss working directly with the Board, staff, and other industry stakeholders, I feel it’s the right time for the organization to transition to a new leader who can take the organization to the next level. My departure comes at a time when Wesley is strong financially, with the resources necessary to continue to build up the lives of the residents we serve in the DMV,” said Murphy.  “I’m fully committed to collaborating with my successor for as long as needed to ensure a successful transition, and I will continue to be a fierce advocate for affordable housing,” added Murphy.

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