Samuel named acting director of housing agency

NEW HAVEN — Officials Wednesday announced that Arlevia Samuel will become acting director of the city’s Livable City Initiative, praising the New Haven native and department staffer and her history in the community.

Samuel, currently manager of neighborhood and commercial development with the department, was named acting director as Serena Neal-Sanjurjo will be leaving to begin work for the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven Friday.

In a release, Mayor Justin Elicker and Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli praised Samuel’s expertise and experience in the community.

“Arlevia’s expertise in urban housing and development make her the perfect fit” as acting director of LCI, Elicker said in the release.

Samuel is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker; a member of the Junior League of Greater New Haven, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Inc., New Haven Rotary and United Way of Greater New Haven, Women United; a former LCI board member; and a former assistant girls basketball coach at James Hillhouse High School, according to the release.

She will have been working for LCI for four years as of Dec. 5, city spokesman Gage Frank said.

“Arlevia is a proven leader both in City Hall and in the community. She brings the passion and commitment to the well being of our neighborhoods that is the hallmark of the Livable City Initiative,” said Piscitelli.

Samuel holds a master’s degree in urban studies in public policy and development from Southern Connecticut State University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement administration, from the University of New Haven, “where she was also a standout member of the Women’s Basketball team,” officials said.

Samuel offered her gratitude to Elicker for his support.

“I thank Mayor Elicker for entrusting me to lead the distinguished Livable City Initiative department,” Samuel said, in the release. “I look forward to continuing the work we have all started.”

As described in the release, staffers with LCI adminsister “anti-blight, property maintenance, residential code inspection, housing, and community development programs in part with Community Development Block Grant funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

In the last fiscal year, staffers “handled over 2,000 referrals on anti-blight issues and conducted over 6,600 residential inspections,” officials said.

“The Livable City Initiative’s mission is to develop and implement an innovative and balanced approach to promote, grow, and sustain our neighborhoods while creating a sense of community throughout the City of New Haven,” officials said.

Samuel