Image Credit: NYCHA.
On July 6, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced new appointments to the leadership for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Jamie Rubin will serve as the new chair of the NYCHA board, and Lisa Bova-Hiatt will be the new CEO.
Jamie Rubin
Jamie Rubin is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School. He has an extensive background working on major infrastructure projects, disaster recovery, affordable housing and clean energy.
He is currently the chief investment officer at Aligned Climate Capital. He previously served as CEO of Meridiam NA, which dealt with projects like LaGuardia Airport Terminal B, the D.C. Metro Purple Line Extension and the Miami Beach monorail. Rubin served as a top official in State government for five years as the head of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery and commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Rubin served as the director for President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery and Rebuilding Task Force. He also served as a senior advisor to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. Rubin has also founded, served on the board, or led over a dozen nonprofits and community groups including the Osborne Association, the Regional Plan Association, and the Citizens Budget Commission.
Rubin stated, “It’s an honor to serve as the chair of NYCHA’s board and to step into this role at such a pivotal time for the Authority. Mayor Adams has made it clear that he is committed to making public housing the centerpiece of his housing plans. Lisa Bova-Hiatt and her team have made tremendous progress already, and I am looking forward to working with her and the entire NYCHA community.”
Lisa Bova-Hiatt
Lisa Bova-Hiatt is a graduate of Villanova University and Brooklyn Law School. She had been serving as interim CEO of NYCHA since September 2022.
Bova-Hiatt has worked in the public sector for over 25 years. For 19 years, she worked in various roles at the New York City Law Department, including serving as the deputy chief of the Tax and Bankruptcy Litigation Division. She previously served as general counsel for the City University Construction Fund and as executive counsel for CUNY. She also served as the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery.
Bova-Hiatt joined NYCHA in February 2020 as general counsel leading the agency’s Law Department. Her work has included compliance with the Housing and Urban Development agreement, the subsequent transformation and implementation plans, and operations.
Bova-Hiatt stated, “Every day, I am honored to serve in this capacity and to have the opportunity to lead the Authority’s efforts to maintain and preserve public housing for the hundreds of thousands of residents living in NYCHA developments across the five boroughs. As a lifelong New Yorker and a career public servant, I understand the importance of affordable housing in New York City — and I remain committed to maintaining the momentum of NYCHA’s continued transformation. I thank Mayor Adams for this appointment.”
In addition to these appointments, Mayor Adams appointed First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Greg Belinfanti to the NYCHA Board and Pamela Campbell to the new board of the Public Housing Preservation Trust.
Mayor Adams stated, “We have been clear since day one that NYCHA residents deserve the same quality of life as every New Yorker, and this administration has embraced the responsibility and the opportunity to deliver that. Lisa Bova-Hiatt has proven that she has what it takes to run this city-within-a-city, and Jamie Rubin brings the wide-ranging experience and critical skills to guide NYCHA’s rejuvenation. With the leadership of Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer and the additions of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Greg Belinfanti, and Pamela Campbell to the NYCHA and Public Housing Preservation Trust boards, I am certain that NYCHA is better positioned than ever to face this challenge and provide residents with the safe, high-quality, affordable homes they deserve.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)