Earlier this year, Emily Tillotson, associate professor of social work and sociology at Walla Walla University was elected chair of Walla Walla Housing Authority, a local nonprofit committed to providing affordable housing. Under her leadership, the organization received the Merit Award in the affordable housing category by the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) this year.

NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for more than 8 million people across the United States.The Merit Award recognizes innovative programs and the affordable housing category honors projects that support affordable housing for their community, meaning tenants pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. 

The Walla Walla Housing Authority's award winning project, Evergreen Commons, is the first permanent supportive housing building in Walla Walla and provides permanent supportive housing for 52 people. 

Tillotson was appointed as a housing authority commissioner by the Walla Walla City Council in 2017, and was elected chair of the housing authority in 2023. She sees this recent honor as part of the organization's long standing success, and that her work has only continued to support their efforts.

Tillotson shares her passion for affordable housing in her academic work as well, “The national affordable housing crisis is an issue covered in several of my classes and remains an urgent issue in our community that students are eager to study and explore.”