The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Indianapolis announced the appointment of Yvonda A. Bean (pronounced E-vonda) as Indianapolis Housing Agency’s new Chief Executive Officer.
“In HUD’s role overseeing the Indianapolis Housing Agency, we are encouraged by the appointment of Yvonda A. Bean as its new CEO,” said Felicia Gaither, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, Office of Public and Indian Housing at HUD. “Ms. Bean’s proven ability to lead agencies through challenges and achieve operational excellence will be vital as we work to recover this agency. We are confident her leadership will strengthen the agency’s mission to provide safe, quality, and affordable housing for Indianapolis residents.”
Bean brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership to IHA. She joins from Columbia, SC, where she currently serves as CEO of Columbia Housing and Cayce Housing, as well as president of nonprofit affiliates SC Affordable Housing Initiatives (SCAHI) and Columbia Housing & Development (CHAD).
“I am pleased that Yvonda A. Bean will be serving as Indianapolis Housing Agency’s CEO,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “I look forward to seeing the ways in which her expertise from serving more than two decades in public housing, including the recovery of two troubled housing agencies, will now be utilized to support the residents of IHA.”
With 25 years of progressive experience in executive leadership within the affordable housing industry, Bean has built a distinguished career marked by a resident-focused, HUD-compliant approach and a strong record of operational excellence. During her tenure at Columbia Housing, Bean spearheaded transformational change, including:
Before leading Columbia Housing, Bean served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette, Louisiana. Under her guidance, the agency overcame HUD supervision and achieved significant growth, operational stability, and financial health. Bean is also deeply involved in advancing the affordable housing sector through her extensive board and committee work. She serves on the Board of Governors for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and is the Vice Chair of NAHRO’s Legislative Network Advisory Committee. She also chairs the Legislative Committee for the Southeastern Regional Council of NAHRO and holds leadership roles on multiple other housing and community development boards.
Bean’s contributions to the industry have been recognized with prestigious honors, including NAHRO’s 2023 Professional of the Year award and the 2024 Advocate of the Year award. Ms. Bean holds a Master’s degree in Counseling & Psychology from Troy State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Augusta State University, and several nationally recognized certifications in affordable housing.
Reflecting on her appointment, Bean shared: “I am incredibly honored to have been selected to serve as IHA’s new CEO. The organization’s mission aligns deeply with my values and passion for creating equitable housing and economic opportunities for marginalized communities. My work has been rooted in the belief that housing is a right and not a privilege—EVERYONE deserves access to safe, affordable housing. I am thrilled to join IHA and look forward to collaborating with HUD, the City, the Board, the IHA team, residents, and community partners to contribute to IHA’s impactful work.”
The appointment of a new CEO for IHA is part of the commitment between the City of Indianapolis and HUD to address the issues facing IHA residents and restore confidence in the agency’s operations. In April 2024, the City and HUD came to a collaborative agreement for the federal agency to manage IHA operations after years of operational, administrative, and financial failures that have had a detrimental impact on Indianapolis residents. The City first requested HUD’s assistance in turning around IHA in 2022. This move aligns with Mayor Hogsett’s equitable housing strategy, leveraging community investment dollars to build a spectrum of quality housing options that meet residents’ needs where they are.