Categories: New York City
08.23.2013
RuthAnne Visnauskas appointed as new Commissioner, Mathew Wambua to head to RHR Funding LLC
(left) NYC Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Mathew Wambua accepts his award as Government Partner of the Year at the Network’s 2012 Awards Gala. (right) Incoming HPD Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. Ms Visnauskas currently serves as the agency's Deputy Commissioner for Development.
After two and a half years at the helm, Mathew Wambua has announced the end of his tenure as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
Beginning next month, the commissioner will leave HPD to join the ranks of Richman Housing as President of RHR Funding LLC.
Commissioner Wambua's time has been an exciting one at HPD. At the Network's 2012 New York State Supportive Housing Conference, the commissioner announced an ambitious new plan from HPD to double its annual production of supportive housing, from 500 to 1,000 units every year. Despite enormous cuts in federal aid, HPD has kept this record-level commitment and is on target to meet its goals. For this and many other reasons, Commissioner Wambua was awarded the Government Partner of the Year award at our 2012 Awards Gala.
"It has been an honor to work with some of the most dedicated and compassionate public servants in the business," Commissioner Wambua said. "The knowledge that the work we do represents an investment in the future of New Yorkers and their families is why we are so passionate about our mission at HPD."
You can watch his history-making announcement at our 2012 conference below.
Mayor Bloomberg has appointed RuthAnne Visnauskas to take the reins as HPD commissioner for the remainder of his term in office. Ms. Visnauskus joined HPD in 2006 and currently serves as the agency's Deputy Commissioner for Development. She's set to begin her tenure as head of the nation's largest citywide housing development agency on September 9.
Ms. Visnauskas has been a regular at our conferences and events for years. With her wealth of housing finance experience, she has helped supportive housing providers expand to new models, leveraged more resources to help keep HPD's commitment to the New York/New York III initiative and helped the agency in its role to help end homelessness in NYC. We have complete confidence in her abilities as she assumes her new post.
"In the nearly eight years since I came to HPD, we have experienced a national housing boom, weathered a recession and are moving into a recovery," Ms Visnauskas said. "Through it all our commissioners and staff positioned the agency to exceed expectations and to better serve those most in need. To be able to maintain that track record, serve the people of New York, and finish the Administration's housing plan is an honor and an exceptional opportunity."
A hearty congratulations to both Commissioner Wambua and Commissioner-to-be Visnauskas!