Tom O’Connell named next executive director of Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority

The Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) Board of Commissioners has announced that Tom O’Connell, the current executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Medina County, will succeed current MMHA Executive Director Skip Sipos, who is retiring at the end of this year. Sipos has served as MMHA’s director since March 1994.

“We are very grateful for Skip’s 30-plus years of visionary leadership and are confident that Tom will carry on that legacy,” said Jeff Holland, MMHA’s incoming board chair.

“Tom inherits a great organization with a dedicated board and passionate, caring staff,” Sipos said. “Tom’s experience in affordable housing will surely help to continue the great work done by MMHA.”

“The board received numerous applications from highly qualified individuals for the position,” said Julie Batey, MMHA’s board chair, who oversaw the recruitment process. “We were impressed by Tom’s outstanding leadership at Habitat for Humanity of Medina County. He is already well known and well respected in Medina County’s housing community and with our other county partners. It is clear Tom has a genuine commitment to supporting individuals facing housing challenges and making sure that everyone in our community has access to a safe, affordable place to call home.”

O’Connell will join MMHA on Dec. 1 and work with Sipos throughout December to ensure a smooth transition in January.

“I’m honored to join with the staff and board at MMHA and continue serving Medina County residents through safe, affordable housing,” O’Connell said. “My six years at Habitat for Humanity reinforced how transformative affordable housing can be, and I look forward to building on that mission at MMHA.”

Under O’Connell’s leadership, Habitat for Humanity of Medina County built and sold 16 safe, decent and affordable homes; launched an Aging in Place program for seniors; and expanded Habitat’s ReStore operations and sales. O’Connell is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Medina County’s Signature program, and he and his family have called Medina County home for the last 24 years.

Founded in 1953, the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority provides affordable housing to more than 1,300 households each month. The authority currently operates 16 affordable housing properties throughout Medina County, as well as Next Step Up, the county’s first emergency housing shelter, which opened earlier this year. Next Step Up is located on Walter Road in the former MMHA administrative offices. The shelter provides 27 beds for men, women and children in need, along with their pets.

O’Connell will continue projects initiated by Sipos, including the construction of The Lafayette, a 10-unit supportive housing development being built in Medina. The $3 million project is expected to be completed by next fall. The property will serve those with federally defined disabilities who also deal with housing insecurity, such as homelessness. Intensive case-management services are included in the programming.

Additionally, North View Manor, an 85-unit senior apartment community in Medina, will undergo a total redevelopment beginning this winter. Initially built in 1971, the comprehensive project will exceed $13 million and will include fully renovated apartments, energy-efficient upgrades, enhanced common areas for resident use and more.