MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Executive Director and CEO Joaquín Altoro is leaving the Evers Administration to accept a position in the Biden Administration effective immediately.
“Joaquín Altoro has been an invaluable part of our administration and a tireless affordable housing advocate for Wisconsinites in every zip code as we’ve worked to connect the dots on lack of accessible housing across our state,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m incredibly grateful for Joaquín’s service to the people of our state, and I know his expertise and advocacy will serve our country well. We wish him and his family all the best.”
To ensure continuity of operations until a new CEO is appointed, WHEDA has established an internal transition team. This transition team is intimately involved with WHEDA’s day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives. The team’s leadership and oversight will ensure that WHEDA will seamlessly continue its work to advance affordable housing throughout the state.
“I’m appreciative and grateful that Gov. Evers appointed me to be WHEDA’s CEO and for the Evers Administration’s ongoing commitment to affordable housing. I have learned so much along my journey,” said Joaquín Altoro. “Through WHEDA, I have been given the opportunity to start my next chapter at the federal level and continue the work to advance equity and economic opportunity for all types and sizes of communities.”
Under the leadership of the Evers Administration, WHEDA has invested more than $2.8 billion in Wisconsin through its single family mortgages, multifamily loans, housing tax credits, housing grant program, small business guarantees and participation lending. This investment has advanced 16,886 housing units throughout the state and helped 39 businesses and farms expand their operations.
Gov. Evers appointed Altoro as WHEDA’s CEO and Executive Director on June 3, 2019.