National Housing Conference announces hire of new Center for Housing Policy executive director
George Mason University professor and researcher Lisa Sturtevant to serve as Center for Housing Policy director and vice president for research at NHC
WASHINGTON, DC – June 26, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Housing Conference (NHC) today announced that Lisa Sturtevant will join the nonprofit housing policy organization as executive director of its research affiliate, the Center for Housing Policy, as of August 12. Sturtevant is currently deputy director at George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis and an associate research professor with GMU’s School of Public Policy based at the school’s Arlington, Va., campus. In addition to her research work and numerous influential publications, Sturtevant teaches statistics, program and policy evaluation, and survey methodology to master’s and Ph.D. students at the School of Public Policy and offers workshops for staff of local and regional governments, businesses and associations on accessing demographic and economic data to support their organizations’ missions.
Sturtevant’s hire follows Jeffrey Lubell’s departure to join Abt Associates as director of housing initiatives after a successful seven-year tenure at the helm of the Center for Housing Policy (Center). In addition to directing the Center, Sturtevant will also serve as NHC’s vice president for research, directing research that bolsters NHC’s reputation as an evidence-based advocate for policies that promote housing affordability. In announcing Lisa’s hire, NHC President and CEO Chris Estes said that Sturtevant’s diverse background and housing research experience make her a uniquely good fit to lead the Center.
“Dr. Sturtevant’s expertise in a variety of housing-related fields—demographics, economic development and planning are just a few—will serve to guide the Center’s research agenda as we work together to make the connections between housing affordability and a host of other social needs,” Estes noted. “At the same time, her deep knowledge of how housing works and why it matters on the local, regional and national levels position her to confidently guide the Center’s research agenda from day one.”
In accepting the new position, Sturtevant said she looks forward to collaborating with NHC’s partners in the housing and research communities—at the local, state and federal levels—to further its mission of providing safe, decent, affordable housing for all in America.
“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Center’s talented research staff and the dedicated members of the NHC and Center Boards to continue to advance the solutions-oriented housing research that the Center has become known for,” Sturtevant said. “Having timely, accessible and practical research and analysis is critical for understanding our housing needs and for developing effective housing policies.”
Sturtevant’s hire was announced June 20 at NHC’s annual Gala, when Estes introduced her as Lubell’s successor during the event program to the more than 600 NHC members and supporters gathered in Washington for the occasion. “Lisa will carry on NHC and the Center’s legacy of creating evidence-based solutions to America’s housing policy challenges,” Estes said in his speech.
Sturtevant earned her doctorate in public policy from GMU in 2006 and has served in various roles at the university’s School of Public Policy since. While earning her Ph.D., she spent four years with Arlington County as a demographic planner. Prior to entering the School in 2002, Sturtevant served as a research analyst at Mathematica Policy Research in Washington. While earning a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland, which she completed in 2000, she served as a research assistant at the Urban Institute. She earned a B.S. in mathematical economics at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.
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About the National Housing Conference
The National Housing Conference (NHC) represents a diverse membership of housing stakeholders including tenant advocates, mortgage bankers, non-profit and for-profit home builders, property managers, policy practitioners, realtors, equity investors, and more, all of whom share a commitment to a balanced national housing policy. Since 1931, NHC has been dedicated to ensuring safe, decent and affordable housing for all in America. We are a nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together our broad-based membership advocate on housing issues.
About the Center for Housing Policy
As the research affiliate of NHC, the Center for Housing Policy (CHP) specializes in solutions through research, working to broaden understanding of America’s affordable housing challenges and examine the impact of policies and programs developed to address these needs.
Contact:
Blake Warenik
202.466.2121 (ext. 240)