We are thrilled to announce that Maya Brennan has joined The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) as our new Chief Housing Officer. Maya brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for advancing housing solutions to our team.
In her new role, Maya will work directly with CNHED organizational members, working groups, and District leadership to develop and advance affordable housing and homelessness prevention policy priorities and strategies. Maya will work in collaboration with the Chief Economic Development Officer to identify and establish high-impact cross-sector solutions that enact change on a systems level, holistically addressing issues that the community economic development space faces. Maya will also oversee CNHED’s housing-focused initiatives and staff, such as the Landlord Partnership Fund, Connecting Capital and Community, and the Senior Homeowner Stabilization Program.
Maya’s journey in the affordable housing space began with a role as a tenant-landlord hotline counselor, helping both renters and small rental housing operators understand their rights and chart a path forward during some of life’s scariest moments. Since then, she has dedicated her career to understanding and addressing the challenges she saw her clients face. With a steadfast commitment to equity and a keen understanding of the critical role clean, safe, and accessible affordable housing plays in community sustainability and development, Maya has been a staunch advocate for affordable housing solutions across the housing continuum and intersecting the various community economic development sectors.
In her previous roles, Maya was instrumental in shaping the Housing Matters movement, advocating for safe and affordable housing as a fundamental necessity rather than a special interest. Her expertise spans various influential organizations, including the Urban Institute, the Urban Land Institute, and the National Housing Conference. She has served as legislative staff to Councilmember Elissa Silverman at the Council of the District of Columbia and most recently freelanced as an equitable change consultant.
Maya holds an M.S. in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School and a B.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College. She is also an active member of the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee and several other notable committees and councils dedicated to social justice and housing.
Maya will be a key leader in our efforts to promote equitable housing solutions and strengthen our communities. Her expertise, experience, vision, and dedication to affordable housing, and the role our homes and communities play for education, economic mobility, and wellbeing make her an invaluable addition to our team. We are excited about the innovative ideas and collaborative spirit she will bring to CNHED.