Wendy Smith

With 28+ years’ experience in affordable housing and community development, Wendy joined KHC in 2013, becoming Deputy Executive Director of Housing Programs in 2018.

Wendy leads over 20 federal and state housing programs including affordable multifamily rental development, rent assistance for nearly 28,000 Kentucky households each month, homeownership opportunities, and housing solutions for Kentuckians experiencing homelessness. She leads state programs such as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Rural Housing Trust Fund. Wendy also oversees compliance and asset management for KHC’s multifamily portfolio.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Wendy led KHC’s deployment of over $350M in new, one-time relief funds from Treasury and HUD.

Her current work is focused on helping Kentucky recovery from major natural disasters and address the severe housing supply shortage faced by communities across the Commonwealth. Wendy views the housing supply gap as Kentucky’s most urgent housing issue, as it impacts Kentuckians across the state and across most income ranges.

Prior to joining KHC, Wendy worked as a HUD technical assistance and training consultant, led a community development corporation in Dayton, OH, and worked as a community organizer in Cincinnati, OH.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Social Work from Miami University in Ohio and a master’s in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati.

AC25 Session: Leveraging Data to Change the Housing Conversation