Greg Russ

Greg is a nationally recognized leader in transforming public housing, combining extensive technical program knowledge with innovative initiatives to create lasting change for underserved communities. Known as a trusted colleague and strategic thinker, Greg has built longstanding relationships among administrators, resident leaders, and policymakers who rely on him for both visionary leadership and practical execution.

He has been instrumental in leading transformative public housing projects, particularly in the areas of resident engagement, housing preservation, and sustainable development. Greg’s expertise extends to creating partnerships that support affordable housing and poverty reduction through strategic collaboration with foundations, schools, and health organizations.

PRIOR WORK
Most recently, Greg served as CEO and Board Chair of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), where he led the passage of the first-in-the-nation Preservation Public Housing Trust, aimed at recapitalizing over 110,000 units. He also oversaw the conversion of 16,000 units under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, focusing on resident engagement and minimizing family displacement.

Prior to NYCHA, Greg was the Executive Director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, where he transformed the Section 8 and scattered site programs and created the Stable Homes, Stable Schools program with the local school district. From 2004 to 2017, he served as Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority, where he was the first housing authority leader to use RAD for the entire portfolio, emphasizing energy efficiency technologies.

DEVELOPMENT ADVISING
Greg is an expert in public housing policy, affordable housing development, and community-driven solutions. He has developed templates for partnerships focused on moving-to-opportunity research, resident savings programs, and service-enriched housing.

CLIENT WORK
Greg works closely with a variety of public housing authorities across the country, offering strategic advice and program management support to ensure sustainable and impactful housing solutions

EDUCATION
Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS

• Board Member, Federal Reserve Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Advisory Council
• Board Member, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA)
• Board Member, Public Housing Authority Directors Association (PHADA)