Woodward taps Portland official to lead Spokane’s new division that oversees homeless services and more

Mayor Nadine Woodward this week announced the leader for a new city division who will play a key role in the city’s response to its housing crisis and homelessness.

Cupid Alexander has been nominated as director of Neighborhoods, Housing, and Human Services, a newly formed division that oversees an array of city services, including shelters for people experiencing homelessness and the My Spokane 311 information system.

Alexander is currently the director of Strategic Initiatives for Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and has a background in housing and homelessness services.

“Cupid brings great experience, expertise in several areas of need for us, and fresh perspective to Spokane and our neighborhoods,” Woodward said in a statement. “He’s a great listener and someone our community partners will find engaging and collaborative.”

The City Council is slated to vote on Alexander’s confirmation at its meeting on Monday.

As director of Neighborhoods, Housing, and Human Services, Alexander will join Woodward’s cabinet.

The division was created by the bifurcation of the former Neighborhood and Business Services division, approved by the City Council earlier this year.

The split formed the Neighborhoods, Housing, and Human Services divisions and the Community and Economic Development divisions.

Alexander previously worked as a senior policy analyst for the Portland Housing Bureau and a shelter care administrator for the Department of Housing Services for Washington County, Oregon.

The appointment comes as Woodward embarks on an administrative reshuffling that will reduce the number of people who regularly report directly to the city administrator on her major initiatives.

Woodward has yet to name a successor to former City Administrator Wes Crago, who abruptly resigned in September. Public Works Director Scott Simmons has filled the role on an interim basis.