Chrystal Kornegay
Chrystal Kornegay has been executive director of MassHousing for the past five years. Under her leadership, the organization has launched a new downpayment assistance program, secured more than $180 million to expand a workforce housing initiative, and developed a nationally recognized program for homeownership production in communities of color. During this period, MassHousing has also grown its net assets by 23%.
Mike Ritter
This year, the organization has plans to start an equitable developers fund to increase the participation of BIPOC developers in creating affordable housing.
Created in 1966, MassHousing is charged with providing financing for affordable housing throughout Massachusetts. Kornegay is the first woman and the first person of color to lead the organization.
Although MassHousing administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the state, it is not a traditional government agency and does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations. “We’re social entrepreneurs,” Kornegay says, meaning it has a business model that strives to make a positive impact on social issues.
For Kornegay, affordable housing has been a focus throughout her career.
“I think people envision who they are and what they can be based on what they see around them,” she says. “What I like about housing is you can create community, where people can have the vision of themselves that can be anything.”
Kornegay started as a project manager at The Community Builders, a leading Boston-based affordable housing developer and owner, and then joined Urban Edge, rising to president and CEO of the community development corporation.
Prior to joining MassHousing, Kornegay served as undersecretary of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
The affordable housing industry veteran’s influence extends beyond the state borders. Kornegay serves on the boards of the National Council of State Housing Agencies and the National Housing Trust.
