WASHINGTON— The National Housing Conference (NHC) today announced that Chris Estes, President and Chief Executive Officer, will leave the organization at the end of September to join Rebuilding Together to work on community revitalization strategies including supporting their immediate hurricane relief efforts, and to advocate to governmental entities for support of their mission.
“I’ve had five terrific years at NHC, and I am proud of our NHC team and their dedication to bringing the housing community together to cultivate and advance best practices, share ideas and objectively advocate for effective affordable housing policy. I am particularly thankful for the contributions we have been able to make to housing in America by combining the best policy and research professionals with a robust communications team.” said Estes. “I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to do work on the ground again, and to make an impact on affordable housing at the local level, through a national organization.”
“We are sorry to see Chris go, but given the important mission of Rebuilding Together and the urgency of responding to the devastating hurricanes that have created a housing crisis in Texas and Florida, we understand his decision,” said NHC Board Chair Ted Chandler. “I appreciate Chris’ work with us to ensure we have a smooth transition. It is a tribute to him and his talented staff.”
Chandler also announced that NHC’s Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Ethan Handelman to Acting CEO, to manage the organization and to continue to carry out NHC’s program activities. Ethan has been directing NHC’s policy and advocacy agenda since 2011, and prior to that led the advisory practice at Recap Real Estate Investors, assisting public- and private-sector clients to understand and shape the affordable housing financial and policy environment. Ethan received his master’s degree in International Relations from Harvard University and holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He serves on the board of Housing Unlimited, a nonprofit housing provider in Montgomery County, Maryland.
“The Board is confident in Ethan’s ability to lead the NHC staff and carry out initiatives underway on behalf of NHC members and funders while we search for Chris’ successor,” added Chandler.
About NHC: Everyone in America should have equal opportunity to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. The National Housing Conference educates decision makers and the public about housing policies and practices to move housing forward together. NHC convenes and collaborates with our diverse membership and the broader housing and community development sectors to advance our policy, research and communications initiatives to effect positive change at the federal, state and local levels. Founded in 1931, we are a nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. NHC’s research team operated as the Center for Housing Policy until the organizations merged in 2013.
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Contact:
Janis Smith
301-204-0284
jsmith@janissmithcommunications.net