‘Chuck’ Richman, NJHMFA executive director, to retire at year-end

Charles Richman, executive director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, is retiring Dec. 31 after nearly 50 years of public service, the Governor’s Office announced Tuesday.

Richman was appointed to the NJHMFA in 2018, after 31 years in the Department of Community Affairs, including serving as commissioner. He also served in leadership roles with the New Jersey State Energy Office and the Department of Energy, among other positions.

“Chuck Richman has been a lifelong champion for policy initiatives that matter most to New Jersey’s underserved communities,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a prepared statement. “From the implementation of the Housing First Initiative, a nationally recognized supportive housing approach to end chronic homelessness, to his passion and expertise on the provision of affordable housing, Chuck has earned the admiration of DCA and NJHMFA staff, housing partners and colleagues both inside and outside state government. His service to the state of New Jersey will be greatly missed.”

During his time at NJHMFA, Richman pioneered a statewide model for health-housing partnerships, launched a statewide Down Payment Assistance Program and led the Special Needs Housing Partnership Loan Program, among other achievements.

Richman’s successor will be announced soon, the Governor’s Office said.