New York, NY – March 31, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis M. Walcott and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairman John B. Rhea today announced the appointment of Emily Youssouf as Vice Chair of the NYCHA Board. Youssouf, who is currently a Clinical Professor at New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate, will begin her five-year term on NYCHA’s Board on April 18th. She previously served as the President of the New York City Housing Development Corporation from 2003 to 2007.
“It’s great news for NYCHA and all its residents that Emily Youssouf has once again agreed to bring her considerable skills to help serve New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “During her three years of leading the Housing Development Corporation, it became the number one issuer of multi-family affordable housing bonds in the country, helping to finance 37,000 affordable housing units throughout the five boroughs. She has an extensive background in housing finance and structuring innovative financing strategies, which will be tremendous assets for NYCHA as it looks for new and creative approaches to preserving public housing.”
“NYCHA is gaining a real champion in the appointment of Emily Youssouf to its Board, and she has a strong track record in her commitment to affordable housing for New Yorkers,” said NYCHA Chairman Rhea. “As we embark on our five-year Plan to Preserve Public Housing, which will serve as a vital roadmap for addressing our current service and quality of life concerns, as well as pursuing a thoughtful development strategy, Emily’s recognized leadership in the housing finance industries will prove to be a great asset in achieving our goals. I join with Board member Margarita Lopez in welcoming her to the NYCHA Board.”
“I am honored that Mayor Bloomberg has asked me to be of service to the City and I am especially pleased to be joining NYCHA at this momentous time as it embarks on its five-year Plan to Preserve Public Housing,” said Emily Youssouf. “I have had a career-long commitment to developing and maintaining affordable housing for New Yorkers, and I am eager to work with Chairman Rhea on innovative strategies to preserve public housing–the hallmark of affordable housing in New York City.”
As Vice Chair of the NYCHA Board, Youssouf will Chair NYCHA’s Audit Committee, which provides independent, objective, value-added advice to improve the Authority’s operations. She will also oversee NYCHA’s Audit Department, which is responsible for ensuring a systematic and discipline approach to risk management, internal controls, and governance processes. Youssouf also will work closely with the Chairman to oversee NYCHA’s mixed financing rehabilitation and real estate development plans.
Youssouf has held various senior positions over a 20-year period at Credit Suisse First Boston, Prudential Securities and Merrill Lynch. Prior to joining the Housing Development Corporation, Youssouf served as the President of Natlis Settlements, LLC, a specialty finance company. She began her financial services career at Standard & Poor’s where she was Vice President of the Tax-Exempt Housing Finance Group. She is a graduate of Wagner College and holds a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis from the New School.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stu Loeser / Andrew Brent (212) 788-2958
Sheila Stainback (NYCHA) (212) 306-3322
