Kenneth Strong, director of research for a nonprofit law center in Baltimore devoted to helping community organizations, started a new job with the city yesterday as director of the office of homeownership.

Strong, who will try to encourage homeownership through loan programs and promotional efforts to persuade more people to live in the city, was one of five housing department hires announced during a news conference yesterday at City Hall.

Other incoming housing officials introduced by the mayor yesterday included Douglass Austin, deputy commissioner for development; J. Gregory Love, deputy commissioner for housing and building code enforcement; Ruth Louie, assistant commissioner for community development; and Chris Shea, associate deputy director of planning and development.

Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano said that he has reassigned several people and reorganized to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

"This event is a chance to make public the kind of talent we've assembled at the Housing Authority of Baltimore City and the Department of Housing and Community Development in recent weeks," Graziano said.