The Pontiac Housing Commission, providing and advocating for quality affordable housing since 1948.
providing & advocating for quality affordable housing
What we do
Serving the city of Pontiac since 1948, the housing commission guides hundreds of families each year through the process of obtaining rental assistance. We work directly with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to distribute Housing Choice Vouchers to Pontiac’s diverse and growing community.
From apartments to single family homes, we offer vouchers for individual tenants, family reunification, those with physical and mental disabilities, tenant protection vouchers for certain crisis housing situations and project based vouchers.
Questions about rental assistance or resources? Our housing specialists are here help. Inquires can be directed to the main office by phone 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Walk-in appointments will be accepted when specialists are available. For the most efficient assistance, please call our main office prior to visiting in-person.
Information regarding housing assistance is available in 17 languages through The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Our Partners
Catholic Community Response Team operates within the same building as the Pontiac Housing Commission, working closely with residents throughout the city to provide services such as immediate clothing and food resources, identification resources, eviction prevention, utility payment assistance, holiday programs and more.
The Family Living Center is also headquartered on premises, focusing on serving adult individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Oakland County through direct care workers, home managers, the operation of seven group home facilities and more.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Family’s within our jurisdiction may apply to join a self-sufficiency program with the housing commission. The purpose of the program is to reduce a family’s or individual’s reliance on rental assistance and federal programs, while increasing income and independence. Enrollees benefit from individualized assistance such as job training, child care, transportation and an interest bearing escrow account held by the housing commission. Enrollees earn credits for the account based on increased income through the program and, once the program is completed, may claim the account once all members of the family are no longer receiving welfare assistance.
Notary Services
Notary services are now available at the Pontiac Housing Commission. Cost for these services is $5 for our tenants, or $8 for the general public.
5-Year Housing Improvement and Action Plan
The Pontiac Housing Commission has established a comprehensive and expansive vision for housing investments in the City of Pontiac and southern Oakland County communities as well as a roadmap to achieve this vision over the next five years. The PHC is committed to ensuring community government is doing all that it can to foster an environment of inclusion, diversity, and equity and to guarantee that residents have access to attainable housing.
All documents must be delivered or mailed to the Pontiac Housing Commission office. Electronic copies will not be accepted on documents which require signatures.
Located off Auburn Avenue just five minutes from downtown Pontiac, Carriage Place Apartments offers 234-units ranging from studios to two bedroom apartments. The building is currently undergoing a $40.3 million rehabilitation project.
Located off North Edith Street near the M-59 corridor, Woodland Heights Apartments features 187-units including one and two bedroom apartments and one studio units. Ongoing building improvements and unit renovations are continuing through 2023.
Located just a block south from Pontiac’s Oakland Park, this 100-year old home was purchased by the housing commission in spring 2021 with the intent to find innovative and affordable ways to redevelop existing and blighted properties throughout the city hand-in-hand with local contractors and businesses.
The Pontiac Housing Commission is governed by a dedicated five member board of commissioners appointed by the city’s mayor. Day to day operations are managed by the commission’s longstanding and knowledgeable executive team and office staff.
Ahmad Taylor – Executive Director
Ahmad Taylor has served as the executive director of the Pontiac Housing Commission for nine years, originally joining the agency in 2004 as a procurement officer. In that time, he’s led the organization through some of the city’s hardest financial years while bolstering and securing affordable housing for those that call the seat of Oakland County home. A lifelong community activist, Mr. Taylor has dedicated his career to creating a sustained resident-led vision for improving quality of life in our neighborhoods, apartment communities and for our landlords.
Growing up in Pontiac, Mr. Taylor gained intimate experience with how the state of affordable housing can affect individuals and entire communities. His passion for housing is deeply rooted in his love for the city where his mother, and grandmother, fostered and adopted his siblings from unstable situations. His desire to serve the public deepened while working for the financial sector after graduating from Alcorn State University in Mississippi. Seeking a way to support his home community and give residents a voice, he turned to the housing commission.
From a once un-auditable organization to one that today is partnering on multimillion dollar rehabilitations of Pontiac’s public housing market — Mr. Taylor has remained steadfast in his belief that the heart of the city lies in sustaining and investing in our homes, neighborhoods and people.
Yvette Transou – Deputy Director
Yvette Transou has served in a multitude of roles in her 17-years with the housing commission. She began her tenure working for the agency’s human services and family self-sufficiency programs before being appointed as deputy director in 2015. Ms. Transou played an integral role in propelling the agency to its current chapter through the city’s economic downturns and to this day has dedicated her career to maintaining and uplifting affordable housing in Pontiac.
A graduate of the University of Phoenix, Ms. Transou’s professional life mirrors her devotion to people and community. Before joining the agency she previously worked as a private school teacher and a human resources manager. Those experiences with individuals from all walks of life imprinted on her the often understated importance of housing and supporting housing initiatives. A firm believer in finding ways to help the helpers, her work with the commission continues to impact thousands of residents across our community.
In her current role, she helps to lead our dedicated staff in guiding individuals from crisis, to resources and stability.
Antoine Ott-Terrell – Financial Controller/HQS Inspector
Antoine Ott-Terrell manages and oversees the agency’s budget, procurements, expenditures, funding and expansion as the housing commission’s financial controller. He also serves as the Housing Quality Standards inspector. From apartments to houses and multi-family units, Mr. Ott-Terrell conducts daily inspections across the city assuring the structures our tenants call home continuously meet all 13 key aspects of housing quality. This includes access to utilities, environmental quality, safety, sanitation and more.
Mr. Ott-Terrell took up his position with the agency in 2013, shortly after graduating from Jackson State University. Born and raised in Pontiac, he has been involved with community development since his youth — growing up playing basketball in the city’s centers, volunteering for a local hospital and working with outreach programs. Mr. Ott-Terrell views his work with the housing commission as a way to create a positive impact in his home town for generations to come.
Vern Gustafsson – Project Director/Planner
Vern Gustafsson works to steward, analyze and inform the housing commission’s strategic projects through a wealth of experience as a longtime development and planning director. Having served over 40 communities in the Great Lakes region with data-based technical planning, targeted-implementations of identified projects and more, Mr. Gustafsson brings both in-depth and high-level knowledge of community and economic development to our ranks. In his day-to-day work, Mr. Gustafsson assists with research and planning development, placemaking strategies and zoning, as well as navigating communications between the commission, elected officials and developers.
Mr. Gustafsson joined the housing commission in the fall of 2022, having previously served as the city of Pontiac’s Planning and Code Enforcement Manager. His drive and determination to create vibrant communities is seated in decades of experience identifying visions, clarifying goals and developing achievable action plans for projects grand and small scale. With a vested interest in the future of Pontiac, Mr. Gustafsson’s invaluable expertise will help serve the community today and for years to come.
Mary Lou Rosado
Housing Choice Voucher Program Coordinator
Christie Sayre
Housing Choice Voucher Case Specialist
Joyce Shields
Housing Choice Voucher Office Assistant
Betty Settles
Office Assistant
Jeanette Chambers
Community Manager Carriage Circle Apartments
Sharolyn Cheatham
Assistant Residential Manager Carriage Circle Apartments
