The Board of Directors at Housing Navigator MA, which helps connect renters to affordable housing throughout Massachusetts, today announced the hiring of Jerome DuVal as the organization’s new executive director. DuVal was honored as Economic Developer of the Year by the New York State Economic Development Council for his contributions to economic growth, his innovative approach to housing development, regional collaboration, and data-driven strategies. In his role as Executive Director, DuVal will oversee Housing Navigator MA’s work to develop technology that promotes housing equity and provide data to enhance transparency within the affordable housing market. In addition to its free search tool, Housing Navigator MA provides the accessible housing registry for the Commonwealth, manages the robust Housing Supply dashboards to reflect the Massachusetts affordable housing inventory and publicizes information on the production of new affordable housing.
DuVal takes the helm from founding Executive Director Jennifer Gilbert, who launched Housing Navigator MA in 2019, driven by a passion to reduce the divides in housing access and equity. Under her leadership, the organization was a 2023 Ivory Prize Top Ten and was honored in the Mass Technology Leadership Council’s Tech Top 50 in the Consumer Tech category.
“The team at Housing Navigator MA is thrilled to have Jerome on board,” said Housing Navigator MA Board of Directors Chair Marty Jones. “His wealth of experience in adopting emerging technologies and working across the nonprofit, government and private sectors will be invaluable as we continue to provide access to affordable housing, offer consumer education, and demystify the affordable housing process for potential renters. We are also incredibly grateful to Jennifer for her vision and leadership over the last six years. Her commitment creating Housing Navigator inspired all of us and we wish her all the best on her next chapter.”
“It’s an honor to join Housing Navigator MA and help lead this innovative, tech-driven nonprofit into the future,” Jerome said. “With housing prices skyrocketing and inventory at a historic low, access to affordable housing is more critical than ever. Housing Navigator MA’s data-driven approach and forward-thinking mindset are exactly what the Commonwealth needs. I’m excited to collaborate with our state, local, and private sector partners to deliver on our mission: to connect people with a place to call home.”
DuVal has led complex, high-impact initiatives to drive economic growth in New York, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. In his previous role as Executive Vice President and Executive Director at Empire State Development (ESD), DuVal oversaw New York’s regulatory compliance and managed the requirements set forth in New York State Executive Law Article 15-A §§ 310-317, which governs the participation of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in state contracting. DuVal’s leadership at ESD resulted in more than $6 billion in contracts awarded in two years to MWBEs, surpassing the governor’s 30 percent utilization rate goal for the first-time in the program’s 35-year history.
He also served as Director of Community and Economic Development in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, where he led efforts that resulted in a 13 percent increase in residential housing within a low to moderate income community and a 12 percent increase in commercial property values. Jerome is an alumnus of the State University of New York, Oswego, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in public relations. He also holds a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University and is a graduate of the New York State Leadership Institute (NYSLI) at the University of Albany, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.
“Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and western Massachusetts in particular hasn’t kept up in terms of housing production,” said Housing Navigator MA Board of Directors Member Angelina Ramirez, who serves as CEO of Stavros Center for Independent Living. “As we focus on the goal of affordability and accessibility, Jerome’s expertise in stakeholder engagement, data analysis, process mapping and go-to-market strategy will be vital for our communities. His experience in both large and small communities gives him an understanding of the variety of strategies needed to address housing access. We’re excited to welcome Jerome to Housing Navigator and to Massachusetts.”
