Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Monday, November 2, 2020 at 2:19 p.m.
Mayor Nadine Woodward has appointed the director of strategic initiatives from a large northwest city to lead the Neighborhoods, Housing, and Human Services division and join her cabinet following a national search.
Cupid Alexander has overseen policy development, engagement, and oversight and implementation for housing and economic development, including strategizing for Portland’s Downtown Business Revitalization actions with community partners and leading community development work in the City of Portland. Alexander joined the Portland Mayor’s Office after working as a senior policy analyst for the Portland Housing Bureau and a shelter care administrator for the Department of Housing Services for Washington County, Oregon. Much of his career has primarily focused on issues related to homelessness, housing affordability, landlord/tenant reconciliation, housing continuity, housing sustainability, housing equity, and justice.
“Cupid brings great experience, expertise in several areas of need for us, and fresh perspective to Spokane and our neighborhoods,” Woodward said. “He’s a great listener and someone our community partners will find engaging and collaborative.”
NHHS oversees programs designed to connect people, neighborhoods, and organizations to resources and services in order to build healthy neighborhoods. The Community, Housing, and Human Services, Customer Experience, and Neighborhood Services departments report to the NHHS director.
“I am really excited to get started in a great city with a talented and supportive team that speaks very highly of the community and stakeholder engagement in Spokane,” Alexander said. “I believe in bringing people together and working collaboratively to achieve a great outcome.”
Alexander will be the City’s first NHHS director. The City Council unanimously approved a split of the former Neighborhood and Business Services division into separate Community and Economic Development and NHHS divisions on August 17.
Alexander was selected from a national search. Two finalists visited Spokane recently to meet with community and councilmembers, Woodward, and the mayor’s cabinet. The City Council is scheduled to consider Alexander’s confirmation on November 9 and he would start at the City on November 16.
