Rhode Island Appoints Deborah Goddard as New Housing Secretary
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has appointed Deborah Goddard, an experienced housing professional from Massachusetts, as the state’s new housing secretary. This decision fills a vacancy left by the resignation of former housing secretary Stefan Pryor in June. Goddard’s appointment, contingent upon Rhode Island Senate approval, marks her as the fourth leader of the Department of Housing since its establishment just three years ago.
Governor McKee expressed confidence in Goddard’s abilities, highlighting her track record and emphasizing the critical importance of addressing housing affordability and availability in the state. Goddard will direct a $36 million budget and a team of 38, tasked with tackling Rhode Island’s housing crisis. This includes overseeing a significant distribution of federal pandemic aid and managing a $120 million housing bond, recently passed by voters.
Goddard brings over 40 years of experience in both public and private sectors, having served in significant leadership roles such as executive vice president at the New York City Housing Authority, managing $3 billion in construction, and directing policy at MassHousing, where she developed energy-saving programs.
In her first statement as the future housing secretary, Goddard pledged to implement an "inclusive, comprehensive, and transparent" housing strategy in Rhode Island. She acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced in housing development but expressed optimism about collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve meaningful results.
Goddard’s start date is set for December 2, pending confirmation from the Rhode Island Senate, which is scheduled to reconvene on January 7. Lawmakers and housing advocates have been advocating for a permanent appointment to stabilize the leadership of the department amidst scrutiny and management challenges.
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