Stefan Pryor resigns from RI Housing for private sector. Notes successes, but work far from done

We learned on social media of the decision of Stefan Pryor to leave his position as to pursue a position in the private sector, reportedly in the “investment world” as managing partner with an out-of-state company.

Here is his statement sent to RINewsToday upon our request:

“Serving this State for nearly a decade has been an enormous honor. When I accepted Governor McKee’s invitation to serve as Housing Secretary, we discussed my doing the job for a year in order to start up the new Housing Department and catalyze needed housing activity.

Almost a year and a half later, I reflect with pride on the accomplishments of our Housing team and its partners. Together we have financed approximately 2,600 units of housing, achieved a 32 percent increase in homeless shelter beds compared to the previous winter, and secured authorization for the largest housing bond in the state’s history to appear on the ballot. In short, we have laid important groundwork for the State to address its housing challenges.

But the work is far from done – continuing commitment and investment are required. And while I transition now to a position in the private sector, I hope to continue contributing to Rhode Island’s progress in meaningful ways going forward.

For their leadership and support, I thank Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, and the General Assembly. I’m also very grateful to the Housing Department and Rhode Island Housing team members as well as the developers, builders, realtors, advocates, and other practitioners and partners who make it happen every day.”

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Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi issued the following statement today about the resignation of Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor:

“Stefan Pryor hit the ground running as the state’s first secretary of the Department of Housing and he shared my passion for addressing all aspects of Rhode Island’s housing crisis. He has a tireless work ethic and he produced immediate results in a very challenging housing climate. I wish him well in his future endeavors. I will work with Governor McKee to ensure the momentum we have achieved around our housing initiatives will continue under a new secretary.”

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Pryor’s term of office expired at the end of FY 2024.

His bio:

Pryor was appointed as Chair of the Board of Commissioners by Governor Dan McKee on March 31, 2023 after being nominated by the Governor to serve on the Board in February and being confirmed by the RI Senate in March 2023.

Pryor serves as Rhode Island’s Secretary of Housing, and previously was RI’s Secretary of Commerce
(serving two governors for 7 ½ years). Pryor was also Chair of the State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network, which enables top state commerce officials from across the country to share best practices and dialogue re policy.

Pryor was previously President of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which coordinated the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan including the World Trade Center site following the attacks of September 11th.

After his service at the LMDC, Mr. Pryor was the Deputy Mayor and Director of Economic and Housing Development in Newark, NJ. Mr. Pryor previously served as the Education Commissioner for the State of Connecticut. During his tenure, graduation rates increased each year and Connecticut achieved the highest score in reading among participating states on the Grade 12 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP 2013).

Pryor received his undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University.

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Most recently a pallet shelter village was proposed for a location in Providence. Normally, around the country, they open in about 30 days. The location was without infrastructure and tied up in licensing, zoning, and fire code regulations. Initially to open in April, the Governor now says he expects it to be open by the first of the cold weather.

Approximately 800 people are loosely counted as homeless at this time, summertime, in Rhode Island – that number is expected to increase dramatically in the winter.

This is a developing story.