Affordable housing advocate served 27 years

RIVER FALLS — River Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Anne McAlpine retired on Friday, April 30 after serving in her role for 27 years.

The River Falls City Council and Mayor Dan Toland wished McAlpine farewell at the April 27 city council meeting. McAlpine’s career in affordable housing program administration spanned 40 years.

“Anne’s expertise led to the expansion of the services available to low- and moderate-income people in River Falls,” Toland said.

Among her accomplishments, he listed:

•Forty additional housing choice vouchers added to provide rent subsidy to people living in private-market rentals. Landlords in River Falls receive over $300,000 of subsidies each year.

•Began a new program serving homeless veterans.

•Managed existing affordable housing in Prescott. Fees earned by managing Prescott Housing Authority provide seed money to provide housing in River Falls.

•Applied for and receiving funding from four sources to build Windmill Place (senior apartments) in 2007. It was the first new RFHA construction in 20 years.

•Maintained existing housing stock.

•Supervised Oak Park Apartments remodel in 2018-2019 and Edgewater and Briarwood remodel in 2019-2020.

“Using various resources, Anne insured that all properties were inviting and well-maintained,” Toland said. “Anne provided handson care as she managed minimal disruptions to tenants as they had their kitchens, floors, bathrooms and windows replaced.”

McAlpine also encouraged and mentored employees, many of whom have worked at RFHA for more than a decade, Toland said.

Anne said she will always be an advocate for affordable housing. She is thrilled that new housing is under construction in the city for low and moderate-income families.

“know that in the housing life cycle, new housing opens up existing housing so renters can find a good place to live,” McAlpine said. “Making sure that there are good places for lower-income citizens to live has been my career for 40 years and my mission here in River Falls for 27 years.”

Two years ago, RFHA celebrated its 50th birthday. Its mission is to “provide responsive and responsible leadership in the delivery of housing opportunities to persons of low and moderate income.” It manages, maintains and facilitates affordable housing in accordance with federal and state laws.

“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met that have had a grandparent or relative who lived in one of our buildings,” McAlpine said. “I hope you’ll continue to support the housing authority, the programs and the administration as these buildings age.”

McAlpine will move to a new hometown this summer, she said. She’ll make her home in Siloam Springs, Ark., a community much like River Falls, she added.