DCHA Board of Commissione...

DCHA Board of Commissioners Appoints Nicole Wickliffe as Interim Executive Director

DCHA Board of Commissioners Appoints Nicole Wickliffe as Interim Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. [April 8, 2026] - Today, the District of Columbia Housing Authority's (DCHA) Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Nicole Wickliffe as DCHA's interim executive director.

Ms. Wickliffe currently serves as DCHA's deputy executive director, a role she has held for nearly two-and-a-half years. Her appointment as interim executive director will be effective on Saturday, April 18. She will succeed Executive Director Keith Pettigrew, who has led the agency since November 2023 and will step down on Friday, April 17.

"As DCHA's deputy executive director, Nicole has taken a hands-on approach. She worked closely with the public housing and voucher teams, helping each department realize significant improvements in occupancy and utilization rates, respectively," said DCHA Board Chairman Raymond Skinner. "She spearheaded DCHA's redevelopment planning and has critical experience managing complex, multi-stage redevelopment projects for public housing authorities."

Between late 2023 and today, DCHA has renovated more than 1,400 public housing units and increased the public housing occupancy rate, onboarded more than 3,000 new families to voucher programs, secured $700 million in bond financing for major renovations at 19 properties, enhanced community engagement opportunities, and improved customer service.

"These advancements are a direct result of Keith's leadership. The Board commends Keith for the energy and deep personal care that he brought to the role and agency. His stewardship has provided DCHA with a strong foundation for its next chapter, ensuring a seamless transition as Nicole takes the helm," said Chair Skinner. "With Nicole's operational expertise, deep understanding of day-to-day program management, and more than 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry, I am confident DCHA will continue to build on the progress made in recent years."

Over her two-decade career, Ms. Wickliffe has held several leadership roles that involved oversight of thousands of affordable housing units and has served as a HUD subject matter expert subcontractor for more than a dozen public housing authorities around the country. As the deputy director of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, she managed the financial and physical components of roughly 1,100 units across various property types. She previously served as the director of asset management for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, a Moving to Work agency, where she oversaw the finances and long-term preservation of nearly 5,000 units, including the repositioning of public housing units through RAD to Section 8 Project Based Vouchers.

The Board intends to begin the search for a permanent executive director within the next few weeks.

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About DC Housing Authority

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is committed to providing safe, affordable, and quality housing to the residents of the District of Columbia. The agency emphasizes fostering a collaborative work environment to meet the highest expectations of the affordable housing industry. With a focus on innovation and community development, DCHA strives to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating sustainable and thriving communities. Learn more at our website about DCHA and the work that the agency is doing to impact the residents of Washington, D.C.

Last Updated on April 9, 2026