Affordable housing expert to lead the association's future strategies as president, CEO
The National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders (NAAHL) has appointed Sarah Brundage (pictured) as its new president and chief executive officer.
Effective February 5, Brundage will succeed Benson (Buzz) Roberts, who has led the organization for nine years.
“Sarah has extensive experience in housing policy, tax credits, and advocacy. Her knowledge, innovative thinking, and deep commitment to advancing affordable housing demonstrate that she will be a great addition to NAAHL”, Roberts said. “I am confident that Sarah’s leadership will create opportunities and address challenges for NAAHL members and carry on the organization’s mission to expand economic opportunity through financing affordable housing and community revitalization.”
Brundage brings a wealth of experience in housing policy and community development. Prior to joining NAAHL, she held several key positions in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including senior advisor for housing supply and infrastructure and general deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations. In these roles, Brundage was instrumental in advancing HUD programs that increase housing production and supply, including implementing the Administration’s Housing Supply Action Plan and playing a pivotal role in the Interagency Taskforce on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) Action Plan.
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Her contributions extended to her tenure as a senior policy advisor on the White House Domestic Policy Council. Before her service at HUD, Brundage was the senior policy director at Enterprise Community Partners. There, she co-led the national ACTION Campaign for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and spearheaded Enterprise’s policy work in California, including managing the state’s fair housing taskforce and the implementation of California Opportunity Maps.
“Sarah has proven to successfully build productive coalitions, led robust teams, and provide effective solutions around affordable and sustainable housing policies,” NAAHL chair Merilyn Rovira said in a media release. “We welcome Sarah to NAAHL and look forward to the collaborations and contributions she will bring to our members and those in need of affordable housing.”
“More than ever, there is national, state, and local recognition that all our communities need more affordable housing. We know that a safe, affordable home is the foundation for household stability and economic mobility,” Brundage commented. “I am honored to work with NAAHL members and partners, who uniquely make up the backbone of our nation’s investments in affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization to provide safe, stable homes for all.”
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