In the 20 years Jeff McClure has worked for the Oxford Housing Authority and the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority II, he has helped a lot of people find a home when they had nowhere else to look.

However, McClure says it’s time for him seek a new path to travel and will be retiring from OHA at the end of June.

“It has been challenging at times but also extremely rewarding,” McClure told the EAGLE. “There are many things I will miss going forward, but none more than the staff and the residents I’ve become friends with throughout the years.”

McClure said he’s looking forward to having more time and freedom to pursue other interests.

“I’m leaving both housing authorities in good hands, and I’m excited and optimistic about what the future holds,” he said.

The Board of Directors of the OHA and the MRHA II, which handles the voucher program, announced McClure’s retirement last week and that Jonathan Hill, currently serving as Housing Manager, was appointed as the new executive director.

Hill has worked with the OHA for 16 years, starting in 2003 as the occupancy specialist. Hill  was promoted to housing manager in 2009, tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of both the OHA and MRHA II.

Prior to working for the OHA, he was a police officer with the Oxford Police Department.

Hill said he’s confident the change in leadership will be a smooth transition.

“(McClure) has been an outstanding leader,” Hill said. “I have some really large shoes to fill. He has been both my friend and mentor. He will definitely be missed but we wish him luck in his new endeavors.”

Hill said his No. 1 goal as the executive director will be to improve operating efficiency and the services OHA provides, as well maintaining its “high performance” status with Housing and Urban Development.

Hill, 41, said one misconception about OHA that is common is that many believe the OHA is run by the city of Oxford.

“We are completely federally funded and receive no state or local funding,” Hill said. “However, one of the main reasons for that misconception is the extremely close working relationship OHA has maintained with the city throughout the years.”

Hill and his wife, Christi, have three boys. Christi is a teacher at Lafayette Elementary School.

The board also announced that Teasha Sanders, head of occupancy, will be promoted to deputy director on July 1.

“(Sanders) is an advocate for the families we serve and will focus on self-sufficiency programs to enhance and improve the lives of our residents,” the board of directors said in a written statement to the EAGLE. “The Board looks forward to both Jonathan Hill and Teasha Sanders working together to use their knowledge, expertise and experience to expand and improve the Oxford Housing Authority for our residents and the betterment of our community as a whole.”