Community Development

In her role, Alyssa Hernandez oversees the disbursement of both HUD and capital funds in programs targeting homelessness, housing improvement and affordability, and lead abatement. Born and raised in Chicago's South Suburbs, Ms. Hernandez is a graduate of DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Public Policy and is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Education Policy and Leadership Studies from Florida State University. Most recently, Ms. Hernandez served as a Bureau Chief within the Office of Long-Term Resiliency at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, where she managed several HUD CDBG-Disaster Recovery and Mitigation programs with a combined budget of over 1.7-billion dollars.

Michiel Wackers began with the City of Cleveland as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Community Development Department in December 2016.  In July 2018, Mr. Wackers was sworn-in as Assistant Director of Community Development. Prior to joining the City, he worked with the city of Middletown, Connecticut, for 13 years and ultimately served as Director of Planning, Conservation, and Development. Mr. Wackers has experience in many aspects of planning, zoning, community development, economic development, conservation, and historic preservation.  He earned a Master of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy from City University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies from Elon University.  Mr. Wackers is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a member of the American Planning Association.

Anthony W. Scott (“Tony”), Esq. has worked for the City of Cleveland, Ohio since 2013. Previously, he has held several leadership roles within the City. He served as the Commissioner of Park Maintenance and Properties within the Dept. of Public Works; the Asst. Director for Building and Housing; and, the General Manager of Administrative Operations for the Office of Professional Standards (OPS). He begin his career with the City as an Assistant Director of Law in the Code Compliance section of the Law Department.

Tony was born in Cleveland and raised in East Cleveland, Ohio.  Upon graduating from Shaw High School, he entered the United States Marines (USMC). He served for eight years during Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and many others, before his Honorable Discharge at the rank of Sergeant.

He graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and his Juris Doctorate Degree.

Tony is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., as well as serving on numerous local Non-Profit boards.

Joy Anderson has been Commissioner in the Division of Administrative Services since September 2016.  Prior to this appointment, she managed the Division’s Contract Administration Section.  Ms. Anderson has over 25 years of experience in public sector governance, community planning, project management, grant making, and philanthropy. Before joining the Department of Community Development’s management team, she was the Civic Affairs Program Officer at Nord Family Foundation in Lorain County, Ohio. Ms. Anderson has a Master of Planning degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. As Commissioner of DAS, she oversees the Department of Community Development’s Compliance, Contract Administration, Accounting, Budget, and Personnel functions. Ms. Anderson also coordinates the annual RFP processes for CDBG and ESG grant funds. 

James E. Greene has been with the City of Cleveland for 15 years, following his first career in the private sector. Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Neighborhood Development, (originally in 2010, and then later in 2016,) Mr. Greene was the manager of the GIS and Data Analysis office within the Department of Community Development. Mr. Greene oversees Community Development’s Housing Development Office, Land Reutilization (land bank), Commercial Revitalization Office (offering the Storefront Renovation Program), and Tax Abatement. In addition to his role as Commissioner, Mr. Greene is also the Housing Officer for the City of Cleveland.

Position is vacant at this time.

Yes! You can verify if a contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured to do work in Cleveland by calling the Department of Building & Housing at 216.664.2910.

Yes, there is an online app on the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer's website.

Fair housing is a right, not a privilege. It is your right under the law to compete equally for housing, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or family status.