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Date: |
January 18, 2022 |
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TDD: |
791-2639 |
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 Ernesto Portillo Hired as Public Information Officer in Department of Housing and Community Development
The City of Tucson's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is pleased to announce the hiring of former Arizona Daily Star journalist Ernesto Portillo as the department's new Public Information Officer. Ernesto brings nearly 40 years of journalism experience to the position which recently was created. Ernesto previously served as an aide to Ward 3 City Council Members Paul Durham and Karin Uhlich.
"We are very excited that Ernesto has joined the HCD family. His extensive experience and involvement in the Tucson community will be a huge asset for our department as we continue to expand our outreach efforts and tell the story of the programs we offer and the people we serve," said Liz Morales, HCD director.
While at the Arizona Daily Star for 19 years, Ernesto, an award-winning journalist, was a Metro Columnist, writing about Tucson, it's people and neighborhoods, regional culture and history. In addition, for the last 10 years at the Arizona Daily Star, Ernesto also worked as the editor of La Estrella de Tucsón, the Star's weekly Spanish-language publication. In his position at Ward 3, Ernesto worked on constituent services and housing, focusing on the neighborhoods in the neighborhoods in the 85705 zip code area. He served as the Ward's representative to the Thrive in the 05 initiative. The Thrive in the 05 is a collaboration between HCD, Arizona State University's Office of Community Health, Engagement, and Resiliency, and Pima Community College's downtown campus, aimed at reinvigorating neighborhoods along and near North Oracle Road, West Miracle Mile, and North Stone Avenue.
At HCD, Ernesto will focus on community engagement, coordinating the department's public outreach, and publicizing HCD's extensive work.
"I'm excited that in my new role I will remain connected to Tucson's residents and neighborhoods. Tucson is special to me, having been born and raised here. And as we have battled through two years of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, it clearly became apparent to me that appropriate and affordable housing is essential to our collective well-being. My goal is to provide the public with correct information about HCD's growing list of programs and initiatives to support individuals, families, and our neighborhoods.”
Ernesto can be contacted at ernesto.portillo@tucsonaz.gov.
About the Department of Housing and Community Development
The Housing & Community Development Department plans, funds and operates programs which assist Tucsonans, and families throughout Pima County, to improve their housing options, neighborhoods, and lives. HCD is responsible for administering the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs for which the City of Tucson is the grantee as well as City funded human services. The Department oversees the Public Housing Authority for the City of Tucson and Pima County that administers several HUD programs; the assets owned, operated and maintained by the City of Tucson’s Public Housing Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Program serving Tucson and Pima County, moderate rehabilitation project-based program, mainstream program for persons with disabilities, Veterans Affairs supportive housing program, and housing opportunities for people with AIDS.
The Department also administers HUD entitlement grant programs including the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) as well as the City’s Human Services Program that funds services delivered by local not for profit agencies. For more information, visit www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd.
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