City Manager Names New Director of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation

Following a nationwide competitive search, City Manager Patrick A. Duhaney has selected Ruth Hill as the City's new Housing & Neighborhood Preservation director, effective Nov. 4.

Hill is currently the department's Homeless Services administrator and has 21 years of executive management experience in the homelessness field. She joined the City in 2017 to spearhead the programming of the Housing Resource Center, where she manages up to 35 employees and multiple contracted providers that operate the services in the facility, including single and family shelters, dining facility, health clinic, day services, and 30 efficiency apartments.

"We're fortunate to have Ruth here with her prior executive leadership in the nonprofit world coupled with her current service as the City's Housing Resources Center Administrator," said Duhaney. "Under her guidance, the center has successfully developed partnerships to provide essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness and we're excited to have her continue servicing the community in her new role."

As administrator, Hill is responsible for guiding the implementation of the City's strategic plan to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. Under her direction, the division designed and implemented new housing recovery programs to provide eviction prevention assistance and non-congregate shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. A major focus of her work has been in fostering collaborative partnerships, developing strategies, and incorporating best practices in homeless service delivery in Virginia Beach.

"I look forward to the opportunity to support Ruth's transition into to this critically important role," said Ken Chandler, Deputy City Manager, Community Sustainability. "Her demonstrated ability to build quality strategic partnerships is her hallmark and a key element to her success."

Hill has a bachelor's degree in social work from James Madison University and a certificate of nonprofit management from Tidewater Community College. In 2008, she was named one of Inside Business' Women in Business honorees. Prior to joining the City, she was executive director of The Healing Place of Hampton Roads, Stop Child Trafficking Now, Samaritan House, and Our House Families. Hill serves on the South Hampton Roads Regional Task Force to End Homelessness and is a founding member of the BEACH Community Partnership.

"I am honored and humbled to be chosen to lead a stellar group of dedicated professionals and build upon the department's strong foundation in expanding affordable housing opportunities, promoting vibrant, well-maintained neighborhoods, and preventing and ending homelessness," said Hill.

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