Seattle Social Housing wants a CEO. First it has to hire someone to find one.
July 16, 2026 Seattle Social Housing meeting report.
The Seattle Social Housing Developer is preparing to hire its next CEO. At its July 16 meeting, the SSHD Board approved a hiring plan, established a CEO Hiring Committee and approved a salary range of $285,000 to $365,000. To hire a CEO, SSHD first has to hire a firm to help hire the CEO.
The board created a CEO Hiring Committee. Its first job is selecting an executive search firm.
Board members said search firms typically require an upfront payment and then charge about 30 percent of the successful candidate's salary. The board plans to invite firms to submit bids before deciding which one to hire.
Only then does the search for a CEO actually begin.
From there, the search firm will define the position, recruit candidates, screen applications, prepare interview questions and conduct reference checks before the committee recommends finalists to the board.
The board will then interview the finalists and negotiate an employment offer. If the timeline holds, the new CEO won't begin until early 2027.
The most substantive discussion centered on CEO salary.
Board member Kaileah Baldwin proposed lowering the minimum from $300,000 to $285,000 while leaving the maximum at $365,000.
"My reasoning is to make space for us to signal that we feel weird about paying a CEO... Like, that as a crew of poor people, we're like, 'Ugh, oh, yeah.’" Baldwin said the board could still offer more than $285,000. She said the lower minimum would give the board more room to negotiate.
The amendment passed, establishing a final salary range of $285,000 to $365,000.
Interim CEO Tiffani McCoy spoke very little during the discussion. Most of the presentation was handled by board members, with McCoy offering little procedural guidance.
During the salary amendment, Chair ChrisTiana ObeySumner called for a vote immediately after the motion was seconded. Another participant reminded the chair to ask for discussion before observing that none had taken place.
The same sequence occurred multiple times during the meeting. On at least three occasions, a motion was made, seconded and immediately called for a vote by the chair without first inviting board discussion. The board voted and moved on.
Unlike previous meetings, McCoy did not step in to clarify the process or offer parliamentary guidance. For regular observers of the board, the difference in how the meeting was conducted was noticeable.
The board also approved its June financial report.
SSHD's agency financial statements show $43.8 million in revenue through June, including $42.4 million in estimated tax revenue, and approximately $2 million in expenses. That left agency net income of $41.8 million for the year to date. The agency reported $113.4 million in assets as of June 30.
The packet also reports separate financial figures for Elara at the Market, SSHD's first acquired property. When Elara is included, the organization reported combined assets of approximately $174.5 million.