Get to Know: Jeremy Carter

Job title: Manager of Community Housing Programs

What you actually do: I work to support our consumer lending and investments team, which includes the Housing Opportunity Fund. I work closely with Jessica (Smith Perry) to help drive new housing initiatives, build and enhance our existing programs, and support the amazing staff who make everything possible.

Years at URA: 6 months

Best thing about working at the URA: All of the random lunches; But seriously, I love being surrounded by people with similar passions to help our fellow neighbors in the City. I also enjoy working at a place that encourages responsible risk-taking, thinking outside of the box, and supporting innovation in how we deliver services to the City.

Favorite project/Most satisfying moment in career: There isn’t a specific moment or project, but in the 6 months I have been here, we, as a team, have been able to reach a few important milestones including setting up a centralized intake system for all home repair programs, building an internal tracking system and wait list so we know exactly where every application and project is, and setting up HAP Plus program to serve homeowners between 51-80% AMI. Because of all of these milestones, our team is in a position where we have over 100 home repair projects in process right now.

Education: I graduated from Pitt with a degree in Social Work with an emphasis on community-level work as it relates to housing, mental illness, and poverty.

Where you were before the URA: I served as chief housing officer at Community Human Services for 5 years where I led a team of 30 people who worked on a variety of homelessness and housing programs. Before that I traveled to 30 different counties in PA helping homeless veterans re-obtain stable housing, and before that I worked at Habitat for Humanity working in community outreach.

If you were boss for the day: Easy - bring your pet(s) to work for the day. Everyone needs a little pet therapy once in a while.

The Boss says: "Jeremy has been a great addition to the URA! During the six months that he has been here, he has helped to fine-tune and implement several consumer-related housing programs. He brings compassion and dedication to his work which shows during his interaction with staff and clients." - Jessica Smith Perry, URA director of housing opportunities

If you weren't at the URA you'd be...traveling Asia getting lost, finding my family roots, and eating as much as my body could handle.

First job: I worked at a grocery store pushing in carts. During Winter. Michigan Winter.

Favorite Pittsburgh spot: Walking down the Strip District on the weekends

Favorite restaurant: Silk Elephant in Squirrel Hill; They have this amazing Noodle Curry dish that I haven’t been able to find at any other Thai restaurant. It’s life changing.

What you like to do when not at work: I’m trying to get back into playing my trumpet and keyboard (not at the same time), skiing in the winter, and restoring old furniture.

Secret vice: I can easily spend my weekend sucked into a computer game.

What three words describe you best: Driven, curious, adventurous

What you’re currently watching on Netflix: "Community"

What song do you have on infinite repeat?: “Broken” - lovelytheband

Three things always in your refrigerator: Apple Juice, ice cream, chicken tenders (I eat like an 8 year old)

Three people (living or dead) you’d like to have dinner with: Gordon Ramsey (because I can’t cook well), Joe Rogan (for comic relief), and Oprah (because why not?)

Actor who would play you in a movie: Jim Parsons

People would be surprised to know that I...used to do fire breathing

Family: I have a large family in Michigan. Locally, it’s just me and my husband, David.

Pets: I have a cat named Monkey, and three ferrets - Jack, Hewey, and Pharaoh (yes, they are all best friends)

Contact Info: jcarter@ura.org, 412.255.6650