Living a Mission-Based Life

Originally printed in the National Affordable Housing Management Association News January February 2026. Written by Jennifer Jones, senior director of communications and public relations for NAHMA.

Glori Houston didn't set out to build a career in property management—it grew from opportunity and hard work.

Her entry into the field came while her husband at the time was transitioning out of the military. A cousin mentioned she could receive a rent discount in exchange for helping manage a property. Houston began as a janitor, focusing on curb appeal, learning how to properly maintain the pool, and cleaning vacant units. The hands-on work gave her a practical understanding of what makes housing function well.

One day, she was asked to cover the office while the property manager stepped out. During that time, a prospective renter came in asking to see a unit. Houston gave the tour herself.

“I realized I really liked interacting with people and helping them find a home,” she said.

That moment sparked a career that now spans more than two decades. For the past 21 years, Houston has worked at Catholic Charities of Eastern Washing-ton, where she currently serves as senior vice president of property management.

“When I started at Catholic Charities, it was my first true introduction to affordable housing,” Houston said. “All the acronyms felt like Greek. It was intimidating. I had my HUD certification, but I didn’t yet under-stand the ‘why’ behind the programs.”

When Houston joined Catholic Charities, its nine properties were managed by a third-party management company. As she learned the systems and requirements, she began to see the potential for something more.

“I realized we could manage our own properties,” she said.

In 2007, Houston made the case for bringing property management in-house. What began as a bold idea became a turning point for the organization. Today, Catholic Charities owns and manages around 70 properties across Eastern Washington, providing stable, afford-able housing for thousands of residents.

Houston says the shift from conventional housing to affordable housing changed how she viewed the work.

“The focus is completely different,” she said. “Some days are hard, but I go home knowing I made a difference in someone’s life.”

She points to small but meaningful practices, like weekly meals with residents at certain properties. Staff understand those gatherings aren’t just social—for some families, they’re essential.

“The most successful staff are the ones who understand the mission and use it as a lens for how they approach people,” Houston said. “I love being a cheerleader for the staff.”

Her mission-driven outlook began early. Houston grew up on Guam, where her parents were missionaries. She lived alongside island families and military communities before marrying an Airman and eventually settling in Spokane.

“I didn’t know any different,” she said. “It was a good life.”

Beyond her organization, Houston has been involved with the AHMA of Washington for 15 years and is completing a two-year term as president.

“We really took a step back and refocused on who we are and what we’re here to do,” she said. “We aligned around our strategic plan and invested in our annual conference. We’re moving in a good direction.”

A single mother, Houston spends her downtime window shopping with a cup of coffee—especially early in the morning when the fog lifts off Liberty Lake. She enjoys audiobooks, long conversations with her adult children, daughter Lindsey and son Aaron, and time with her dog, Ripley, named after the heroine of the “Alien” film series.