Bob Whittlesey, longtime affordable housing advocate and visionary, and former Executive Director and Board president of Metro Housing|Boston, passed away this week at the age of 101.
Bob was a leader in national housing policy issues for the past 60 years—through his founding roles with Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (the forerunner of Metro Housing) and Housing Partnership Network, his work on reform of the Boston Housing Authority, and his pioneering role as the founding director of South End Community Development, Inc., now known as The Community Builders.
“Bob Whittlesey will always be remembered as an iconic figure in the state’s storied affordable housing history,” said Metro Housing Executive Director Chris Norris. “Without his vision and leadership, it’s unlikely Massachusetts would be at the vanguard of affordable housing issues and policy today.”
Bob’s passing is a tremendous loss to the Massachusetts and Greater Boston affordable housing community. We extend our condolences to the Whittlesey family.