Longtime SHA Executive Director Bill Simmons retired, effective July 10. Jalyn Clifford, the former deputy executive director, took over for Simmons.
Debadrita Sur
Debadrita Sur is a multimedia journalist and Report for America corps member who reports on the I-81 project and public housing for Central Current. In 2023, Sur graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, where she reported on housing and homelessness, and co-produced a short documentary on food insecurity in the South Bronx.
After graduating, she joined The Buffalo News as a general assignment reporter, where she covered daily breaking news and long-term enterprise stories on pedestrian safety, homelessness in Erie County, and Jewish and Arab families in Western New York reacting to the Middle East conflict, among other topics. She later joined Reach PLC in New York City, where she worked on tight deadlines to cover breaking news on a myriad of topics, but mainly focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the Trump administration across three publications. Sur grew up in Kolkata, India, and completed her undergraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, while also working for a London-based cultural magazine, Far Out, on the side. Deb speaks Hindi, Bengali, English, and German.
When she’s not reporting, Sur is either reading, trying to recreate her mom’s chicken recipes, making adventure bucket lists, or playing with her cat, Mountain Dew. She can be reached at dsur@centralcurrent.org
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
HUD rules SHA Chair Ryan Benz has an “apparent conflict of interest,” should continue recusal until SHA obtains full disclosures
While Bill Simmons will soon leave SHA, his complaint against Benz will have enduring effects.
Posted inNews
Bill Simmons to leave Syracuse Housing Authority after yearlong turmoil
Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Simmons agreed to retire a year before his contract with SHA is set to expire. Simmons’ last day with the housing authority will be July 10. The housing authority’s board voted to approve a mutual separation agreement with Simmons by a vote of 4-3. Board commissioners Patricia McBride, Quwanka Ellerby and […]
Posted inNews
Inside the disagreement over a $7M commitment from Onondaga County to SHA’s redevelopment of public housing
County executive’s office said they have long made clear that they want to donate $7 million as an in-kind contribution. Developer McCormack Baron Salazar says that won’t work for them.
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
Syracuse Housing Authority board elects new vice chair; Simmons resolute as Owens’ appointees take majority
Rickey Brown, a close ally of Mayor Sharon Owens, was voted in as the vice chair of the board of commissioners at Syracuse Housing Authority on Thursday.
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
Mayor set to appoint key ally to Syracuse Housing Authority board
Mayor Sharon Owens is set to appoint Monica Williams to serve as a board commissioner. Williams replaces longtime board member Christopher Montgomery.
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
Another key member of Syracuse Housing Authority board steps down
SHA Vice Chair Christopher Montgomery leaving SHA’s board paves the way for Mayor Sharon Owens to appoint another board member — who could make good on her calls to oust Bill Simmons.
Posted inNews
Syracuse Housing Authority sees record interest in their Section 8 homeownership program
Afi Olowu, who runs the program, called their recent increase in Section 8 homeownership applicants a win.
Posted inInterstate 81
Local advocates hope to avoid environmental inequality from I-81 demolition with new air quality monitors
Wary of past harm, three monitors will be installed at Syracuse community centers to boost residents’ air quality awareness as the I-81 viaduct comes down.
Posted inInterstate 81
I-81 local hire initiative was a success, advocates say. What’s next?
Urban Jobs Task Force of Syracuse released a report reflecting on the I-81 Local Hire Initiative’s success.