Maria Maio is Executive Director of the Jersey City Housing Authority, which has more than 3,000 public housing units, more than 3,200 rental vouchers and three HOPE VI Demolition and Revitalization Programs. JCHA has more than 400 employees and a combined program budget of over $70 million.

Ms. Maio has over thirty-three years of professional experience in planning, developing, financing, administering and managing assisted housing in Jersey City. Among the housing authority’s accomplishments during her tenure:

• Development of more than 400 new public and affordable housing units for families and elderly residents under HUD’s Public Housing Conventional and Turnkey Development Programs, utilizing innovative approaches.

• Winning HOPE VI grants that will create 1,100 new affordable and market rate rental and homeownership units,

• Development of the JCHA’s Homeownership Opportunity Program.

Before taking the job at JCHA as executive director, she had established  M. Maio and Associates, providing consulting and technical assistance, primarily in the public housing and Section 8 program administration.

Ms. Maio’s community involvement is extensive. She is the chair of the York Street Project, a program she has worked with since 1980. She has served on the Board of Trustees for Kenmare Alternative High School, and is currently the vice-chair of the Board of St. Joseph’s Home and the Nurturing Place Program. 

A frequent presenter on affordable housing, Section 8, HOPE VI Programs and Brownfield Initiatives, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Certificate in Urban Studies from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, New Jersey.