Thomas Breen photo
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz with newly appointing Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno on a 2018 campaign trip to Fair Haven.
The governor has tapped the head of a New Haven-based affordable housing nonprofit to be the state’s next housing commissioner.
On Friday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he has chosen Seila Mosquera-Bruno to be the next commissioner of the state Department of Housing (DOH).
Mosquera-Bruno is currently the head of the NeighborWorks New Horizons, a 27-year-old affordable housing developer based out of 235 Grand Ave. She has been overseeing the construction of housing in New Haven for years.
“I am honored to join Governor Lamont’s administration to turn our shared vision of the importance of affordable housing, into a reality,” Mosquera-Bruno said in the release. “A safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home gives us a foundation to contribute to the growth of our state.”
See below for Lamont’s full press release on the appointment:
GOVERNOR LAMONT SELECTS SEILA MOSQUERA-BRUNO TO SERVE AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has chosen Seila Mosquera-Bruno of Milford to serve as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH). An advocate for affordable housing in the state and nationally, Mosquera-Bruno has dedicated her career toward building public-private partnerships that create strong communities and revitalize neighborhoods.
“While significant progress has been made in recent years, there is more we can do across the state and Selia is the right person for the job,” Governor Lamont said. “She has decades of experience, and understands how neighborhoods offering a good quality of life are essential to Connecticut families and their economic growth.”
Mosquera-Bruno is currently the president and chief executive officer of NeighborWorks New Horizons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing quality, affordable homes and supporting community building initiatives in New Haven, Fairfield, Southern Hartford, and New London Counties. She has worked with this organization since 1994.
“I am honored to join Governor Lamont’s administration to turn our shared vision of the importance of affordable housing, into a reality,” Mosquera-Bruno said. “A safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home gives us a foundation to contribute to the growth of our state.”
Mosquera-Bruno’s participation in the community service is extensive. She is currently a board member and treasurer for Connecticut Legal Rights, an advisory council member with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, a national community advisory board member with Santander Bank, a member of the Home Connecticut Steering Committee, and a member of the Reaching Home Steering Committee. Previously, she has served on the boards of the Connecticut Housing Coalition, the National NeighborWorks Association, and the National Real Estate Development Advisory Council of NeighborWorks America.
Since 2018 she has been actively assisting Puerto Rico Neighborhood Housing Services, Corp. in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.
Mosquera-Bruno has a master’s degree in urban studies from Southern Connecticut State University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and completed the Achieving Excellence in Community Development fellowship program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
She will begin serving as the Commissioner-designate on March 1. Her nomination will be sent to the General Assembly for its advice and consent.
This is a great appointment! Seila has done a super job in New Haven and across the region.