Ms. Gass joined the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) in 2000 and has served as the Director of Strategic Housing Initiatives since 2014. In her current role she directs the redevelopment activities for HACA’s RAD PBRA portfolio. From 2014 to 2021, Ms. Gass oversaw HACA’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) full portfolio conversion of 1,839 units, resulting in over $100 million in construction across HACA’s portfolio. These deals included several different types of conversions – conventional and FHA loans, 4% and 9% LITHC, partial rehabs and full redevelopments. Ms. Gass serves as HACA’s point person for RAD PBRA redevelopment and asset management work, coordinating with all HACA departments, as well as developer partners, general contractors, HUD’s Office of Recapitalization, relocation consultants, city officials and code compliance staff. In 2020, Ms. Gass testified before the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance about HACA’s approach to RAD and the impact it has had on public housing in Austin.

Prior to her work with RAD, Ms. Gass served as the Director of Contracts for HACA’s subsidiary, Southwest Housing Compliance Corporation. In that role, she provided oversight of all contract renewals and rent adjustments for over 61,000 PBRA units in Texas and Arkansas. In 2012, she served as a subject matter expert for HUD’s Partners in Housing: Multifamily Preservation Training course and in their Preservation Clinics. Ms. Gass’ early career includes multifamily property management in North Carolina. Ms. Gass has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.