The New York City Department of Housing Preservation, the nation’s largest municipal affordable housing agency, said that RuthAnne Visnauskas will become its next commissioner when the current leader leaves to begin a new job.
Commissioner Mathew Wambua will be stepping down from his current position as he is set to become the president of RHR Funding LLC, part of The Richman Group of Companies’ mortgage lending business.
Visnaukas is currently the deputy commissioner for development at HPD where she is responsible for overseeing the annual housing production goals that are part of
Since the plans inception, more than 157,320 affordable homes have been created or preserved.
Also as deputy commissioner, she oversaw several innovative development programs, including the Preserving City Neighborhoods initiative designed to purchase the notes of overleveraged buildings and stabilize them by ultimately transferring them to responsible not-for-profit owners.
Visnaukas will officially take over as HPD commissioner in early September and said she is thrilled to take on this challenge.
“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. 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.”
