Hennepin County Commissioner Chris LaTondresse announced Thursday that he will resign from the board on Sept. 21, 2023, to become the chief executive officer of the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.
LaTondresse, a resident of Hopkins, was elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021. He represents District 6, which includes northern Eden Prairie.
Hennepin County will hold a special election for District 6 to complete LaTondresse’s term, which ends in December 2024. The Hennepin County auditor will determine the special election date as per state statute. The county elections office will provide more details
In his resignation statement, LaTondresse said Minnesota is grappling with a housing and homelessness crisis that harms families and exacerbates disparities.
This issue, he said, has been close to his heart as long as he’s been in public service, “rooted in my family’s lived experience of housing instability when I was a teenager.”
As commissioner, he served two years as chair of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The board approved measures such as prioritizing affordable housing, converting hotels into homes, and introducing single-room occupancy units.
LaTondresse stated that Beacon’s emphasis on affordable housing in Minnesota matches his beliefs. In his role as the new CEO, he aims to enhance housing advocacy and solidify government partnerships to boost housing options for Minnesota’s economically challenged families.
He will succeed current Beacon CEO Lee Blons, who will retire on Aug. 31. Heidi Mastrud, Beacon’s vice president of advancement and communications, will serve as acting CEO in the interim.
“My decision to leave this elected office early is not one I take lightly,” he stated. “I can’t ignore the remarkable alignment between Beacon’s mission, my leadership background, and the pressing needs of the current times.”
Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando praised LaTondresse in a press release. “His new role will keep him involved in the fight for affordable housing,” Fernando said. “We wish him all the best.”
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