Arlington taps community planning, housing leader

Samia Byrd has been named to lead Arlington County’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development beginning Jan. 3, 2024, the county announced Wednesday.

Byrd’s responsibilities will include leading the next generation of land use regulations, plans, development policies and practices, housing, and community and neighborhood planning programs. She succeeds Claude Williamson, who is retiring at the end of the year after a 26-year career with the county department, including serving as its director since 2017.

“Samia is an incredible leader with decades of experience in planning and housing,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said in a statement. “She will bring her depth of knowledge and insights around equity to ensure it is fully integrated into our housing and community development initiatives. Samia also has a keen understanding of the challenges we face in our office market and will work closely with Arlington Economic Development, the county [Board of Supervisors] and the community on addressing the need for commercial market resiliency.”

Byrd has served as the county’s first chief race and equity officer since 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile. She joined the county in 2007 and has served as a principal planner and planning coordinator within CPHD and as a deputy county manager providing guidance toward Arlington’s goals and actions relevant to land use, planning and development.

“My passion for housing affordability, neighborhood revitalization, the social aspects of planning and the intersection of place, race and equity, as well as my long-term commitment and dedication to Arlington County government and the community, converge in this new role as director of Community Planning, Housing and Development,” Byrd said in a statement. “I have a unique opportunity to bring vision and leadership in all of these areas, building on the deep roots and strong foundation in place today. The strength of our planning over several decades has brought us to this point. With an opportunity now to directly focus on advancing equity in housing, land use and development that centers people in place, I look forward to guiding the future Arlington to becoming a high opportunity community where all people can advance and thrive.”

Byrd earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in city planning. Prior to joining the county, she worked for Quadel Consulting & Training, a firm specializing in affordable housing management, and served as director of state fiscal analysis and policy for the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (now the National Council of Nonprofits). She has also worked as a research associate with the Urban Land Institute and at Aspen Systems.

Byrd also has certificates in management and serves on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Chief Equity Officers Committee and the Urban Land Institute Washington’s board and is part of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity’s housing land development network.