James Comer Email & Phone Number

Providence, Ri

Daily oversight of all Federal programs at RIHousing, working closely with agency directors to administer, adapt and develop programs that respond to the rapidly changing nature of affordable housing and Rhode Islanders’ needs. Works closely with senior leadership to strategically identify and implement housing finance initiatives that help expand and diversify RIHousing’s programs.

Providence, Rhode Island

Executive Director of a progressive affordable housing developer and management company with a long history of providing housing opportunities to a broad range of residents throughout RI, MA and CT. Manages daily operations, oversees development efforts and builds strategic partnerships to further our mission of strengthening communities, one home at a time. Founded in 1979 to create housing and economic opportunity for low-income women, WDC has expanded our portfolio to build and operate high-quality homes for families, the elderly, disabled individuals and other populations in need. Recent projects include the redevelopment of 51 service rich units for chronically homeless individuals in Providence, and a partnership to build a development of transitional and permanent units for veterans in New Bedford, MA.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Oversight for daily functions of large public housing portfolio including over 2000 traditional PH units and additional affordable and LIHTC units under multiple non-profit affiliates. Supervises tenant selection, management and maintenance staff, develops operational policy and leads professional development and resident relations initiatives.

Fall River, Ma

Supervises Management, Tenant Selection and Tenant Services Departments for large public housing authority. Provides daily oversight for staff of 35 individuals and portfolio of 2451 public housing units. Liaison to local law enforcement, child welfare, family services and elder care organizations.

Lead grantwriter for consulting firm providing fundraising and organizational development services to nonprofit clients. Successfully secured funding totalling over $3M for clients in affordable housing, social service provision, homelessness prevention, education and disability advocacy. Created strategic plans, marketing materials and program development documents to meet client needs and performed progress assessment for startup nonprofits as part of an incubator grant program.

Providence,Ri

Closed transactions to provide financing for over 500 affordable units. Managed all aspects of development transactions involving the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Duties include financial modeling, loan origination, coordination of funding sources and compliance with attendant regulatory requirements.

Cambridge, Ma

Supervised 5-member planning staff managing modernization and development projects throughout the City of Cambridge. Portfolio of modernization projects included approximately $25 million in obligated state and Federal funds. Managed all aspects of comprehensive modernization of state-financed low-income public housing developments. Duties included review and analysis of plans and technical drawings, budget management, development and execution of relocation plans oversight of design and engineering professionals,compliance with state and local regulatory bodies and coordination of housing authority staff, residents and community leaders.managed conversion of elderly public housing development to affordable assisted living facility within a mixed-finance Federal HOPE VI rehabilitation project, including resident coordination, financial projection and income certification for regulatory compliance.

Directed operations for a series of low-income public housing developments, ranging in size from 200-1000 state and Federally-funded units. Duties included preparation of site-based budgets, marketing and lease-up, lease enforcement, rent recertification, unit inspections and oversight of resident services. Manager of Maintenance for 600+ Federal and state units. Duties included supervision of 25-member skilled trades and union labor staff. Responsible for prioritizing maintenance projects, extraordinary maintenance budgeting and long-term capital planning

Bachelor Of Arts, History And Sociology

BA History and Sociology

Master Of Science, Public Affairs

MS Public Affairs

Public Housing Manager Certification

Public Housing Manager Certification