Categories: Network Events
11.21.2025
In just the past five years, Brett Hebner has led a team responsible for financing nearly 9,000 affordable and supportive housing units across 145 projects — providing thousands of New Yorkers with safe, stable homes.
As Vice President for Multifamily Finance at New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), Brett Hebner, plays a central role in shaping the future of affordable and supportive housing across New York State. Since taking on this role in 2020, Brett has overseen the State’s competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing path.
“Brett’s experience across New York’s housing and mental health agencies, coupled with his unwavering commitment to supportive housing, was pivotal in securing the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) per-unit rate increase,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of HCR. “His thoughtful leadership within HCR has strengthened the connection between housing finance and services, ensuring that thousands of New Yorkers can access resources that allow them the stability they deserve. We’re proud to join the Network in recognizing Brett as an Unsung Hero.”
Brett’s expertise in supportive housing spans over two decades of distinguished public service. Before joining HCR, he served as Director of Housing at the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), where he oversaw the State’s community mental health housing portfolio of more than 40,000 units. Prior to that, he was Assistant Director of the Bureau of Housing and Support Services at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), managing the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) and supporting over 14,000 operational units across 500 projects. In that role, he helped achieve the 9,000-unit development goal of the NY/NY III initiative and contributed to the creation and early implementation of ESSHI in 2016 — work that continues to shape the supportive housing landscape today.
“Brett brings a rare combination of expertise and empathy to this work,” shared Mark Fuller, President of DePaul. “His understanding of supportive housing from development to financing made him an invaluable part of securing the ESSHI rate increase. Brett’s commitment to excellence and steadfast partnership have made a significant impact in the lives of countless individuals and families across our communities.”
Brett has embodied what it means to be Unsung Hero for decades — a leader whose impact can be felt in every community his work helps to strengthen.