Tess Mullen

Deputy Director, Office of Urban Revitalization @U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development

Washington, DC, US

Currently serving as the Deputy Director of HUD’s Office of Urban Revitalization and spearheads the development of policies, technical assistance programs, and national trainings to help local public housing authorities (PHAs) nationwide use public and private funds to construct affordable housing. • Manages a team of transaction managers, environmental specialists, and architects who have helped PHAs secure HUD approvals to use $2.3 billion in financing to develop more than 6,200 housing units since 2020. • Manages Choice Neighborhoods Grants, working closely with local communities to help them engage public housing residents, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders in developing and implementing comprehensive transformation plans to redevelop distressed housing; improve access to quality education, health care, and employment services; and implement community development projects. • Developed and delivered trainings at national conferences to teach PHAs and affordable housing developers how to use HUD programs to rehabilitate and redevelop distressed public housing.• Launched a nationwide, technical assistance initiative to help PHAs rehabilitate distressed properties, helping more than 60 PHAs in 25 states identify strategies for how to move forward. • Engaged a wide range of stakeholders – including developers, PHAs, residents, and others – in discussions on the future of public housing, identifying concrete strategies to preserve and expand the nation’s affordable housing supply. • Briefed senior HUD leaders on new legislative proposals and how to streamline regulations to facilitate affordable housing development.• Hired staff, developed clear and measurable performance standards to meet departmental goals, and held bi-weekly, one-on-one meetings to provide continuous feedback and support.

Harvard University

B.A., English

University of Pennsylvania

MPA