Last week, Governor Healey announced a new appointee as Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC). Former Secretary Ed Augustus stepped down from his position on Friday, February 27, and will serve as the CEO of UniBank, headquartered in the Blackstone Valley.
Governor Healey created the state’s first housing secretariat in 30 years and appointed Secretary Augustus to lead the office in 2023. Over the last three years, Secretary Augustus was a key partner in implementing the MBTA Communities Act and advancing the passage of the Affordable Homes Act. Our Executive Director, Jesse Kanson-Benanav, worked closely with the Secretary on the Unlocking Housing Production Commission, which led to an Executive Order to study single-stair residential housing. We are grateful for Secretary Augustus’ leadership.
Newly appointed Secretary Juana Matias previously served as HUD Regional Administrator during the Biden Administration, where she advanced federal housing policy across New England and oversaw offices in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Prior to joining HUD, Matias served as Chief Operating Officer of MassINC and Commonwealth Magazine. She also represented the 16th Essex District in Lawrence and Methuen as a Massachusetts State Representative.
We look forward to working with Secretary Matias to continue creating new housing tools for residents across the Commonwealth