WESTBROOK – Chris LaRoche, a 52-year-old former priest, was recently named executive director of Westbrook Housing.

LaRoche, who now lives in Alfred with his wife Denise, said he was looking forward to becoming a part of the city. LaRoche replaces John Gallagher, who was executive director for 13 years before being asked in October to serve as director of the Maine State Housing Authority.

LaRoche’s first day was Feb. 1. In his first week, he was hit with a controversy involving bingo at the Spring Crossing housing unit, which left a group of 15 residents wondering whether they could play the game under housing regulations. He took a few minutes to talk about how he went from the priesthood to the housing field, and his future goals for himself and for the organization.

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish in your first year as executive director?

A: Well, frankly, first of all, filling in and evaluating the needs of the organization and community. In the background of that is keeping the current mission of the housing authority in its current five-year plan and continue moving that forward by meeting the needs of the residents and providing quality, affordable housing. That will be the initial first year. We focus on those issues, as well as continuing the relationship with the city of Westbrook and looking at our housing and development future plans in light of the needs of the city of Westbrook and their comprehensive plan.

Q: What are your long-term goals for housing authority?

A: My long-term goals are really continuing the path of taking those two items [the relationship with the city and the needs of the community] and extending them out again. Providing quality, affordable housing to the residents we have, and expanding that role to fit the needs of the community in the region. In addition to that, again, working closely with the community and with the city in line with the economic development, comprehensive plan, and the housing needs for the community. As you know, we provide low-income housing and moderate-income housing and market-rate housing, so there’s really three dynamics that fit well. I want to go back to the old model of the retirement plan. You’ve got the three-legged stool. It’s almost the same type of the thing: you’ve got the three-legged stool of affordable housing. I think that looking at the needs of the city, the comprehensive plan and the conversations I’ve had with the city, I think our goals match in with the movement of the future goals of the city.

Q: You have an interesting history. At one time you were a priest, correct?

A: Yes. I left to marry my wife and here I am. As you know, or may not know, Catholic priests are not allowed to marry and keep their faculties and minister, so my choice was to leave and marry my wife.

Q: How did that decision lead you to the affordable housing field?

A: I think that when I moved in my path of life, my choice of ministry was focused on mission to people. When I left ministerial life, I made a conscious decision with my wife that I wanted to stay involved with having an impact on the lives of people. Housing is one of those areas that had a great impact on the lives of people. It gave them security and had an impact on the community, so that’s how I ended up in affordable housing.

Chris LaRoche, Westbrook Housing’s new executive director, says his role is to continue providing “quality, affordable housing to the residents we have, and expanding that role to fit the needs of the community in the region.”