Former Clayton County county manager Wade Starr is the new executive director of the Clayton County Housing Authority. Starr, 60, was given a three-year contract to run the agency last week in a 3-2 vote by the housing authority board. Starr became a consultant to the housing board in February, shortly after losing his county manager’s job. The previous executive director of the housing authority, Linda Valentine, retired from the position in March. She earned $71,000 with an addition $20,000 in benefits. Starr will get $70,000 a year and no benefits. His salary will jump to $77,000 a year if his contract is renewed another three years. Starr was fired from the county manager’s job by the new administration, led by commission chairman Jeff Turner, as part of efforts to overhaul county government.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez