Equitable Housing Planner and Social Justice Advocate Taiisa Kelly Receives 2023 New Jersey Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame Award

• Posted on: 09/27/2023

ATLANTIC CITY – Taiisa Kelly, a housing community planner and social justice advocate dedicated to developing equitable, affordable housing, and ending homelessness through her work as the chief executive officer of Monarch Housing Associates was named the 2023 recipient of the State’s Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame Award, which was presented the evening of September 27.

Kelly received the award on the eve of the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development, which takes place September 28 and 29 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. The annual conference, now in its 27^th year, brings together housing industry and economic development leaders to participate in six diverse tracks ranging from housing for community needs to women and business to economic development.

The Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame Award recognizes trailblazers in the housing and economic development fields, including those who work to create, finance, and develop affordable housing and economic growth opportunities, as well as individuals who advocate, lead, and educate the public on the issues.

“Taiisa Kelly is a woman who creates change with a triad approach of planning, policy, and action,” said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “As CEO of Monarch Housing Associates, Taiisa Kelly counsels local governments, and collaborates with nonprofits and community stakeholders to develop strategies for fair housing and long-term plans to end homelessness. When we work together, positive change will make New Jersey a strong, fairer place to live and work.”

Kelly began working at Monarch Housing Associates in 2006 and in October of 2019 was named Chief Executive Officer. At Monarch, she uses her experience in housing development working with federal, state, and local funding sources to secure financing for special needs housing projects. While on the Monarch Homelessness Planning Team, she discovered her passion in working with local governments, nonprofits, and community stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies and define 10-year plans to end homelessness.

“I am pleased to present Taiisa Kelly with the Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame Award. Her dedication to New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations, including spearheading the annual Point in Time Count to document the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in our state, makes a difference in people’s lives each and every day,” said NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie Walter. “Ms. Kelly advocates for the resources and attention necessary to generate lasting change for individuals, families, and communities across New Jersey.”

“The New Jersey Redevelopment Authority congratulates Taiisa Kelly on her induction into the New Jersey Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame. Under her leadership, Monarch Housing works to ensure that housing is seen as a human right that is available to every person,” said NJRA President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie A. Anderson. “We all live in affordable housing; we live in the housing that we can afford. Taiisa Kelly truly understands that through her work and she is incredibly deserving.”

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, expanding access to affordable housing has been a core priority and Taiisa Kelly has been a tremendous partner in our shared mission,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “For nearly 20 years, Taiisa has been committed to addressing homelessness and creating safe, high-quality, and affordable housing. This collaboration between private and public sectors has led to commonsense solutions and a more equitable state and economy.”

“It is an honor to be inducted into the Governor’s Housing and Economic Development Conference Hall of Fame.  I am thrilled to be counted among past inductees who have done amazing work in the space of affordable housing and addressing homelessness in New Jersey.  I count it as a blessing to work in an agency and state where we recognize the importance of providing housing opportunities for all and to work alongside advocates who are pushing us closer to realizing housing as a human right in New Jersey.  As we continue to elevate these conversations around equity, housing, and homelessness, we have an opportunity to ensure that the solutions we develop strike at the heart of the issues by ensuring those who are most impacted have a seat at the table.  Working with so many great partners from advocates, impacted communities, agencies, and government, I am continually energized.  The work has just begun!” said Taiisa Kelly, chief executive officer of Monarch Housing Associates.

One highlight of Kelly’s career success was her work with Bergen County. She helped guide the county to be the first in the nation to end chronic homelessness and the third to end veteran’s homelessness.

Kelly serves on numerous boards of directors for housing programs throughout New Jersey. More information on Kelly and Monarch Housing Associates can be found at https://monarchhousing.org/.

For Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development details, visit njhousingconference.com. You can follow the conference on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @njhousingconf.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: