The City of Santa Monica has announced Aileen Reynolds as the next Director of the Housing and Human Services Department. She will earn an annual salary of $258,756.
Reynolds has over 10 years of experience and most recently served as New York’s Assistant Commissioner of Housing Opportunity. Under her leadership, the city helped secure housing for more than 43,000 households.
“I am thrilled to be joining the City of Santa Monica during this important period of realignment and revitalization,” Reynolds said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside the Housing and Human Services team and our citywide partners to advance programs and policies that serve the community with compassion and effectiveness. I’m grateful for the opportunity to take on this important responsibility and can’t wait to get started.”
City Manager Oliver Chi said Reynolds “rose to the top of a highly competitive national recruitment because she brings exceptional technical expertise paired with a deeply values-driven approach to leadership.”
He called her “a proven builder of systems that expand housing access.”
Santa Monica is at a crossroads. The city is facing a $29.1 million General Fund deficit for FY 2026–27. The shortfall is complicated by declining reserves and revenue, public safety pressures, and significant legal liability stemming from the actions of a former officer.
The City Council has approved a Realignment Plan to address these issues. Reynolds will be responsible for implementing the plan’s housing-related aspects. She replaces Heather Averick, who is transitioning to a part-time role in the City Manager’s Office.