Marco Sommerville Appointed As Chair Of Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA)

Akron, Ohio, March 9, 2022 — Recently, Akron's Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs and Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Marco Sommerville, was named Chairman of the AMHA Board of Directors by a quorum of board members.

Sommerville was appointed to the board by Mayor Horrigan in July 2018 to replace retiring board member Leonard Foster. When the term expired that same year, Mayor Horrigan reappointed Mr. Sommerville for the five-year term commencing January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023. The board holds an Election of Officers annually in January. Other members of the Board include Roberta Aber who is the Board Vice-Chairman, John Fickes, Thomas Harnden, and Stephanie Norris.

The five member AMHA board is appointed by various government entities including the Mayor of Akron, the Summit County Executive, the County of Summit Court of Common Pleas and the Probate Division Court of Common Pleas.

As Board Chair, Sommerville will preside over board and executive session meetings, calls, and special meetings. He will actively engage board members and keep the board focused on the organization's mission, vision, and strategic direction.

Marco Sommerville has been a public servant and business owner for more than three decades. He was first elected as Ward 3 Councilman in 1987 and was re-elected to that position 12 times. Marco served City Council as President from 2001 until 2013, when he accepted the position of Director of Planning and Urban Development within the City administration. In 2016, Marco assumed his current role as Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Relations and Senior Advisor to Mayor Horrigan. Throughout his tenure with the City of Akron, Marco has brought his immense experience, insight, and knowledge to every role he has undertaken.

Throughout his political career, Sommerville also owned and operated Sommerville Funeral Services, which he founded in 1982. He turned the business over to his daughter, Margo, when he accepted the Planning Director's position. Margo Sommerville was also appointed by City council to complete her father’s term as Ward 3 Council Representative, and she now presides as City Council President.

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA)

AMHA provides affordable housing options to approximately 10,000 households throughout Summit County. The public housing program consists of over 4,000 apartments and single-family homes that receive federal rental subsidies for low-income families as well as disabled and elderly individuals. In addition, AMHA owns and/or manages over 800 apartments that are federally subsidized and/or financed with low-income housing tax credits or tax-exempt bonds. AMHA also administers rental subsidy to over 5,000 households through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

AMHA works in partnership with many public and private entities to help strengthen the Akron community. By investing in partnerships, we are better able to address the basic needs of our residents and create opportunities for self-sufficiency and a better quality of life. As the need for affordable housing continues to grow, with over 22,000 applicants on our waiting lists, we will continue to invest in education, employment and the needs of the elderly and disabled.