Lantern Organization appointed Jessica Katz as executive director. Katz comes to Lantern from the N.Y.C. Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) where she served for the past six years as the director of housing development for the division of special needs housing. At HPD, she was responsible for an annual supportive housing project pipeline worth more than $100 million and comprising more than 500 units. Previously, Katz spent four years working in housing development for CASCAP, Inc, a mental health agency in Cambridge, Mass. While at CASCAP, she served as a live-in property management at one of their supportive housing projects. Katz's appointment makes her the first executive director in Lantern's 12-year history. In her new role she will be charged with overseeing Lantern Organization's efforts to develop additional supportive, affordable, and low-income housing and provide social services to its tenants. "Given Jessica Katz's vast experience in affordable and special needs housing, we believe she will be a perfect fit to join the Lantern Organization," said Eric Galloway, president and founder of Lantern Organization. "Jessica possesses the type of leadership skills and the extensive experience needed to make a positive impact in the affordable housing arena. We are confident that she will be instrumental in our continued success." "I am excited about the opportunity to serve as executive director for Lantern Organization and continue my mission of helping the most vulnerable New Yorkers gain access to quality, affordable housing," said Katz. "I hope to bring my diverse experience from the public and nonprofit sector to help Lantern Organization meet its goal of adding thousands of units of affordable rental housing for communities in need throughout New York City."