New Bedford’s Mayor Mitchell appoints Joshua Amaral as Dir. of Housing and Community Development

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“Mayor Jon Mitchell has announced his appointment of Joshua Amaral as the City’s Director of the Office of Housing and Community Development.

Amaral has been the Assistant Executive Director of People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) Inc. since September 2018. In this capacity, he has spearheaded the revitalization of PACE’s housing efforts with the creation of the Housing Opportunity Center which led a local response to pandemic-related housing needs, devised operational plans to scale up the food pantry distribution by 500% to meet the demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, introduced innovative marketing approaches in a 25K+ client fuel assistance program that has become a best practice statewide among several agencies, represented the agency in local and statewide coalitions and partnerships, ect.

In 2014, he was elected to the New Bedford School Committee as the youngest elected official in the City’s history. He served on the Committee for eight years and was a leading voice for reforms to improve the performance of New Bedford Public Schools. He was also a member of the City’s Commission for Citizens with Disabilities and currently sits on the Board of Library Trustees and chairs the Homeless Service Providers Network.

Amaral is a New Bedford High School graduate, has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and a master’s degree in Business Administration. He is excited to take on the challenge of the City department with the most direct impact on housing needs.

The Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for administering the City’s federal entitlement funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Community Development Block Grant program, the Home Investment Partnership Program, and the Emergency Solutions Grant. The Office also oversees the City’s competitive Supportive Housing Program for homeless families and individuals and convenes the Homeless Service Providers Network.

“Josh’s demonstrated leadership in housing, education, and social services suits him well for this important position,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “He has a record of innovation and accomplishment in his professional, elected, and volunteer positions, and I’m confident he’ll excel as a City department head.”

The Mayor’s appointment of Amaral is subject to the approval of the City Council.” -City of New Bedford.

You can read more about Joshua in our Faces of New Bedford here.

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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One comment

  1. A superb appointment for New Bedford.

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