Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has tapped Juana Matias, a former regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to be the state's next Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. The incoming secretary, who once represented the 16th Essex District in the Massachusetts House, assumes her new role on April 1 after the current secretary, Ed Augustus, steps down on February 27; in the interim, Deputy Secretary Jennifer Maddox will fill in, according to Mass.gov.
"We're excited to welcome Juana as our next Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, applauding Matias's leadership pedigree, which includes overseeing an $8.47 billion HUD budget and furthering housing initiatives across New England before joining the new secretariat, she held positions such as COO of MassINC and representative in Massachusetts, and will succeed Augustus, who has led the filing of the state's first comprehensive housing plan and steered the Affordable Homes Act, a substantial $5.2 billion venture into housing production and worked toward resolving the state's housing crisis by pushing for new plans and policies to build more housing and enhance systems, to support people's housing stability at diverse stages of their lives.
Governor Healey lauded the incoming secretary's perspective on housing policy and her deep-rooted commitment to Massachusetts, expressing high hopes for continuing the state's housing agenda under Matias's stewardship. "Juana brings with her a deep understanding of housing policy from her time as HUD Regional Administrator and a longtime commitment to Massachusetts," Governor Healey stated on the Mass.gov. "I’m honored to join the Healey-Driscoll team as Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities."
For her part, Matias acknowledges the work that lies ahead, pointing to housing development as a key driver for community and economic growth, and while she's honored by the appointment, she credits her predecessor with laying a robust groundwork for the future of housing in Massachusetts, "Under Governor Healey’s leadership, Massachusetts is already seeing more housing development across the state," Matias said in a statement, emphasizing the need to preserve affordability and increase production, collaborating with local leadership and the community at large.
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Augustus, is leaving to become CEO of UniBank in Central Massachusetts. Matias will take over the agency, bringing experience in housing policy, law, and governance. Matias will lead efforts to make housing more affordable and continue policies to help families across the state, as per Mass.gov.
