FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Michele Anapol (202) 466-2121 x226 manapol@nhc.org

KANOVKSY AND COLTON TAKE REINS AS NEW LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING CONFERENCE AND CENTER FOR HOUSING POLICY

Kingston and Schnare Step Down After Helping Make a Tremendous and Long-Lasting Impact on Affordable Housing Issues and Policies at the Local, State and National Levels

Washington, DC (June 28, 2006) – The National Housing Conference (NHC), the nation’s premier public policy and housing advocacy organization, and its research affiliate the Center for Housing Policy, announced their 2006-2007 leadership today, including new NHC Chairman Helen R. Kanovsky and Center Chairman Kent W. Colton. Both will bring a vast amount of experience to the nonprofit organizations in the field of affordable housing.

Kanovsky takes the reins from G. Allan Kingston, president of Century Housing, who now becomes immediate past chairman of NHC after serving successfully in the top leadership post for three years. Kingston led NHC in outreach and initiatives that have helped make a tremendous impact on housing policy at the local, state and national levels. Dr. Colton replaces Ann B. Schnare, head of A.B. Schnare Associates, who becomes immediate past chairman. Schnare has led the Center through a time of significant growth and expansion, including the further development of widely respected studies focused on addressing the housing needs of working families nationwide.

“We are fortunate to have forward-thinking leaders and advocates like Helen Kanovsky and Kent Colton to help advance the goals of NHC and the Center in the years ahead,” said NHC President and CEO Conrad Egan. “We also want to sincerely thank Allan Kingston and Ann Schnare for their innumerable contributions to the success of both organizations during their tenures.”

Kanovsky is currently the chief operating officer of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT). She previously served as executive vice president of administration and finance and general counsel of the HIT. She also served as chief of staff to United States Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, and as executive vice president and general counsel of GE Capital Asset Corporation and its predecessor company, Skyline Financial Services Corporation.

Dr. Colton is a senior scholar in housing studies at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. He also is president of K Colton, LLC a housing consultation service. Colton previously served as the executive vice president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. In addition, he was executive vice president of policy, planning and economic research at Freddie Mac.

NHC’s other officers include: Vice Chairman Daniel A. Nissenbaum, senior vice president, HSBC Bank USA; NHC President and CEO Conrad Egan; Chairman of the Audit Committee Shekar Narasimhan, managing partner, Beekman Advisors, LLC; Secretary John L. Kelly, partner, Nixon Peabody, LLP; Regional Affiliate Representative Dianne J. Spaulding (CA), executive director, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California; and Regional Affiliate Representative (NY) Carol Lamberg, executive director, Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. In addition, Wilfred N. Cooper, Sr., Chairman, WNC & Associates, Inc. was named a Life Trustee.

The Center’s additional officers include Executive Director Jeffrey Lubell and Secretary/Treasurer Christine M.J. Oliver, president and CEO of the Chicago Dwellings Association.

For more details, including additional 2006-2007 leadership, please go to NHC and the Center.

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