March 21, 2025

Washington, DC – Housing Up announces that President & CEO Phil Hecht will retire from his position this year after more than 35 years of service addressing family homelessness in Washington, DC. 

“Phil has been a cornerstone of Housing Up since our very beginning, and his leadership has ensured our capacity to serve DC’s most vulnerable families by creating a visionary and proven combination of housing and comprehensive programming,” said Paula Singleton, Chair of Housing Up’s Board of Directors. “Phil has built a first-class organization and leaves a legacy of programs that enable families experiencing and at-risk of homelessness to find stability and thrive in DC.”

Housing Up is one of Washington, DC’s leading providers of affordable housing and support services to low-income families and families experiencing homelessness. With a committed board of directors, compassionate staff, and skilled leadership team, Housing Up is approaching its upcoming CEO transition from a position of strength. Although leadership transitions bring out uncertainty, particularly in a time of much turbulence for the DC region, Housing Up is confident it will continue its history of leadership with an experienced executive who will guide the organization into its next chapter. 

Hecht has been a leading figure in the formation and evolution of Housing Up for four decades. In the late 1980s, Hecht helped form a partnership between Christ Lutheran Church, Community Family Life Services, and Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington that became Transitional Housing Corporation, now Housing Up. Phil was a board member for its first 25 years, serving as Board Chair from 2000 to 2003. He rejoined the organization as President & CEO in 2015. A lawyer and partner at several Washington, DC law firms, he also served in board leadership roles for Community Family Life Services and Christ Lutheran Church. His advocacy for vulnerable DC communities is a cornerstone of his leadership. He is the current board chair for the Coalition, formerly known as the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED).

“It has been the honor of my life to help establish and lead the important work of Housing Up,” said Hecht. “As we witness an unconscionable rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness in our city, region, and nationwide, our mission of providing stable housing and services for families in need has never been more critical. I am confident that Housing Up’s expert staff, partners, and new leadership stand ready to ensure a future where safe, affordable housing and genuine opportunities empower people to transform their lives.”

Housing Up’s Board of Directors has established a search committee to lead the transition and is partnering with award-winning, Washington, DC-based search firm Good Insight to recruit the organization’s next President and CEO. A public announcement to launch the search is planned for April. Hecht will stay engaged with the organization through the end of 2025 to support the leadership transition and advise his successor.