The Polk County Housing Trust Fund board of directors announced Monday its search for a new executive director. As planned, Eric Burmeister will be retiring in June after more than 12 years of service.

“With Eric’s leadership PCHTF has become the ‘go to’ for housing affordability in our region and thousands of families now have an opportunity to live in safe, stable and affordable homes,” said Cole McClelland, chair of the PCHTF board of directors. “Increasing the supply and quality of affordable housing is critical and we are approaching this leadership transition with great attention. We expect our next leader will maintain the momentum of the great work underway, while also seeing the amazing potential that is possible and approaching the work with the urgency needed.”

In 2022, PCHTF helped leverage over $20 million in housing production and preservation while assisting local governments in planning for their future housing needs, a news release said. The housing trust fund was selected in 2022 to manage $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to develop and improve multifamily housing. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates Polk County is short about 11,635 affordable and available rental units for people whose incomes fall under 30% of the area median income.

The PCHTF board of directors has added a position for a director of housing development to help manage the new funding and programs.

“This is an incredibly exciting and important time,” Burmeister said in the release. “The support and momentum around housing affordability has never been greater and I am grateful to the board, staff and the many community partners, developers and elected officials who have all been part of getting us to where we are now — well-positioned for the critical policy work and support that is needed next.”

More information about the available roles is available in the executive director posting and the director of housing development posting.