Dan Nissenbaum, a widely-respected affordable housing expert, has been elected chairman of the National Housing Conference (NHC), the United Voice for Housing. He has developed a keen knowledge of community development and housing issues over his 20 years in the industry. Nissenbaum is the chief operating officer for the Urban Investment Group (UIG), a division of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, where he manages community development lending and investing programs. As chairman of NHC, Nissenbaum was preceded by Helen Kanovsky, who moved to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to serve as general counsel.
Nissenbaum fully supports NHC’s commitment to addressing the current housing crisis through a range of solutions, including identifying policies focused on restoring the flow of private capital into low- and moderate-income communities, and stabilizing the secondary mortgage market so that government sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can continue to fulfill their important role in helping families to purchase homes at a lower cost. Beyond the housing crisis, he supports NHC key goals like making the important connections between housing and other issues, such as linking affordable homes with transit-oriented development and employment opportunities.
In addition, Nissenbaum has several personal priorities as NHC chairman, which include raising the organization’s visibility by strengthening every aspect of its operations, from building membership and financial capacity to, ultimately, helping ensure that NHC continues its vital role as an effective and leading housing policy organization.
“Dan has long served as a strong, logical and well-informed voice on NHC’s executive committee. In his new role as chairman, he is clearly committed to meeting the immediate housing policy challenges as we continue to focus on a recovery,” said NHC President and CEO Conrad Egan. “He also understands that it is essential for NHC to work collaboratively with the housing community to maximize the resources and new channels of communication between the Administration, HUD and the entire industry in order to properly address the full-spectrum of critical housing needs.”
Prior to his role as chief operating officer for the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Nissenbaum worked in real estate and community development finance at Chemical Bank, Chase Manhattan Bank Community Development Corporation (CDC), JPMorgan CDC, Merrill Lynch CDC and HSBC Bank. In these roles he has managed debt and equity investment financing, as well as CRA regulatory compliance, philanthropy and outreach programs. Nissenbaum currently holds positions on several other boards, including NHC’s research affiliate the Center for Housing Policy; The Center for NYC Neighborhoods, and the Low Income Investment Fund.
John L. Kelly, a partner with Nixon Peabody LLP and co-chair of NHC’s regional affiliate the New York Housing Conference, has been elected to serve in Nissenbaum’s previous position as vice chairman on the NHC board.
NHC has been the United Voice for Housing for more than 75 years. A membership drawn from every industry segment forms the foundation for NHC’s broad, nonpartisan advocacy for national policies and legislation that promote suitable housing in a safe, decent environment. NHC convenes members, stakeholders and others to improve coordination of diverse agendas and build consensus on key housing issues, including policies programs and legislation that help to provide affordable homes.
