Amanda Straight

Due to the growth of COI’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) services, the agency has structured its services into two divisions.

Amanda Straight, who has served as the deputy director of housing and community development since 2020, has been named to lead the newly created division of Home, Business and Asset Development (HBAD). Services under her leadership include the Weatherization Assistance Program, Lead Hazard Remediation, Homebuyer Education, Foreclosure Prevention, and Credit/Bankruptcy Counseling. Responsibilities for the activities of the agency’s affiliate organization, Chautauqua Opportunities for Development, Inc. (CODI) will transfer to Straight later this year. CODI provides technical assistance and loans to small businesses and startups.

Straight has been with COI since 2012, holding front-line positions for two years before moving into her first of three management positions in the agency’s Housing and Community Development division. She was promoted to deputy director of the HCD division in 2020.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunities COI has given me over the past twelve and a half years,” Straight said. “In each position I have held, I have learned invaluable skills that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am excited to continue to learn and contribute in my new role as director of home, business and asset development.”

Straight holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the State University at Fredonia. She has completed the Emerging Leaders Institute sponsored by the state Community Action Association and is currently working toward certification as a Community Action Professional, as well as an implementer of Results Oriented Management Accountability.

“Amanda Straight has worked at COI for over 12 years, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow into the leader she is today,” said Diane Hewitt Johnson, COI chief executive officer. “She is extremely motivated to learn and grow and is dedicated to making a difference in others’ lives. She has been promoted over the last several years, most recently, 4 years ago, to the Deputy Director of Housing. The Housing division has grown significantly over the last several years resulting in the need for restructuring the division into two separate divisions. I am pleased to welcome Amanda Straight to the Senior Management team as the Director of Home, Business and Asset Development. I’m looking forward to working closely with her as she leads this new division. This is a well-deserved and long overdue promotion. She is an inspiration to others, and we are lucky to have her on our leadership team.”

COI’s housing services to prevent and respond to homelessness will continue to be provided under the umbrella of a newly named Housing and Emergency Services division. Josiah Lamp, who has led the HCD division since 2016, will continue to oversee these services, which include rental assistance programming, emergency shelter, and affordable housing.