Massachusetts Housing Partnership Names Rachel Heller Executive Director

Rachel Heller

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) board of directors announced the appointment of Rachel Heller as the new executive director of MHP. Heller, who currently serves as CEO of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Assoc. (CHAPA), begins her new role on March 30.

“After a thorough and thoughtful search that yielded a number of excellent candidates, the board is absolutely thrilled that Rachel Heller will be the next executive director for MHP,” said Alicia Sasser Modestino, board chair. “Having successfully served as CEO of CHAPA for the past decade, I can think of no one more qualified or better suited to lead MHP during this transition. Rachel brings not only exceptional knowledge and experience, but also a deep and personal commitment to housing affordability in Massachusetts.”

Heller added that “I am honored to join the talented and dedicated MHP team to advance decades of innovative research, community assistance, and investments in homeownership and affordable housing to meet the housing needs of current and future residents, our neighborhoods, and our economy. MHP has a vital role in developing the strategies we need to meet the Commonwealth’s goal of adding 222,000 new homes over the next decade while preserving the homes we have today. We are at a pivotal point in Massachusetts when we can put the solutions in place for a future where everyone can thrive.”

At CHAPA, a nonprofit organization that promotes affordable housing across Massachusetts, Heller leads organizational efforts to bring together diverse coalitions of stakeholders to stimulate the production and preservation of affordable housing, expand access to rental and homeownership opportunities, and foster diverse and sustainable neighborhoods through advocacy, planning, and community development.

In her time at CHAPA, she led the creation of its Municipal Engagement Initiative, an education and technical assistance program for residents and municipalities to build diverse coalitions in support of housing development, and secured $1 million in seed funding for the creation of CHAPA’s Housing Policy Action Center. She was an advocacy lead for the MBTA Communities Act and multiple housing bond bills, served as a member of the Governor’s Housing Advisory Council, and currently serves on the Governor’s Interagency Housing and Homelessness External Advisory Council.

She is known for her collaborative approach, having led, launched, convened, or supported several successful coalitions, including Our Massachusetts: Homes for a Thriving Commonwealth Coalition, the On Solid Ground Coalition, the MRVP Coalition, the Building Blocks Coalition on state budget advocacy, the New England Housing Network, and the Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate Rachel Heller’s newest role as the Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s executive director. As our administration works to make housing more affordable across Massachusetts, Rachel has been a critical partner,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Together, we’ve passed the Affordable Homes Act, are building nearly 100,000 new homes, and are turning unused state land into housing. We look forward to continuing to work with Rachel and MHP to build more reasonably priced housing and lower costs for people.”