Selene Tibbitts Appointed Public and Affordable Housing Administrator

Published on June 13, 2025

Selene Tibbitts, an 18-year employee with the City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development department, has been appointed as administrator for Public and Affordable Housing. In her role as administrator, Tibbitts will serve as the senior manager of more than 1,900 city-owned housing units including single-family homes, multi-family and apartment buildings across the City of Tucson.

“My goals as administrator for Public and Affordable Housing is to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve occupancy rate, support professional development and provide high-quality housing for Tucson residents,” she said.

Since November 2024, Tibbitts had been the interim administrator for Public and Affordable Housing which includes ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations. In 2019 she served as HCD’s Community Services Manager, overseeing the Public and Affordable Housing Programs. She joined HCD in 2007, when it was known as the Community Services Department.

HCD Director Ann Chanecka lauded Tibbitts’ skills and experience with Tucson’s public housing programs.

“Selene has shown to be an exceptional administrator working in a complex field of public housing while at the same maintaining a strong relationship with fellow HCD employees and HCD clients whom she has served with respect and empathy,” Chanecka said.

During the COVID-19 health crisis and public lockdown, Tibbitts maintained oversight of HCD housing program maintaining its focus. She helped implement a pilot program in Tucson House, the City’s largest housing residential building, creating a resident support specialist position to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. She was involved in the opening of the new housing wait list in 2023 and contributed to the successful Choice Neighborhoods Grant application which resulted in a $50 million federal grant to the City of Tucson. 2023.