Abdi Warsame Named NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) named Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, as one of two Outstanding Professionals of the Year. The award was announced on Friday, Sept. 27, at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
“Abdi is a true houser,” said NAHRO CEO Mark Thiele. “He focuses on resident safety and is a fierce advocate, fighting for the resources that MPHA needs to house and serve their residents. He is also a long-time public servant. I couldn’t be prouder to present him with this award.”
“Everyone deserves a stable, safe and affordable place to live,” said Senator Tina Smith, Chair of the U.S Senate Housing subcommittee. “Abdi is working to make that a reality in Minneapolis, and I’ve seen just how committed he is to improving the lives of people in his community. He is an exemplary leader that I’m proud to also call a friend. I am so glad that his work is getting recognized, and this honor is well deserved.”
“What Abdi Warsame has done to provide deeply affordable housing to the Minneapolis residents who need it the most is nothing short of amazing,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “Abdi has worked tirelessly to secure millions in funding at all levels of government, including unprecedented state and local capital funding that has allowed MPHA to install fire suppression systems and expand and preserve affordable-housing stock. I couldn’t be prouder to congratulate my friend, Abdi. His leadership is building a better future for Minneapolis.”
Mr. Warsame became MPHA’s Executive Director/CEO in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 crisis began taking hold. Months later, a global reckoning was sparked in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis law enforcement officer. Through these dueling crises, Abdi focused his early work on resident health and safety while gaining his footing as the CEO of the state’s largest housing authority.
In his time as CEO, Mr. Warsame has helped lead the successful efforts to secure unprecedented levels of state and local capital funding support for the agency. This has included securing the funding necessary to install fire suppression systems in all 42 MPHA high-rises, securing a first-of-its-kind $5 million direct appropriation from the state legislature in its biannual budget, and resuscitating a long-dormant housing tax levy in Minneapolis at $5 million a year, the largest ever in the city’s history.
Mr. Warsame moved to Minneapolis in 2006 and was elected to the Minneapolis City Council in November 2013, becoming the first Somali-American elected to the council and the first in the nation to win a municipal election. He previously served as the Board Chair of the Cedar Riverside-Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CR-NRP) and Executive Director of the Riverside Plaza Tenants Association (RPTA). He was the founder and spokesperson for the Citizen’s Committee for Fair Redistricting, which took part in the redistricting process that aimed to create a more equitable and representative political map of Minneapolis, with the intent to create better opportunities for all residents of the city.
Mr. Warsame was born in Somalia and grew up in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, where he studied and attained a BSc in Business and a master’s degree in international business.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. NAHRO members administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people.
About the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award
The Outstanding Professional of the Year Award is NAHRO’s highest and most prestigious award given to honor an exceptionally qualified person who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life through service in the field of housing or community development. The award is made on the basis of extraordinary accomplishments and contributions.
The award was established in 1975 in the name of M. Justin Herman. It was renamed and revamped in 2019 to better reflect the purpose of the award and to encourage nominees from all agency sizes to apply.