Puerto Rico to host U.S. regional public housing conference for the first time

San Juan, Puerto Rico (November 5, 2026) – For the first time, Puerto Rico will host the annual MARC-NAHRO Regional Conference, taking place from November 12 to 14. The event is expected to draw between 250 and 350 representatives from the United States, alongside nearly 200 public housing residents, community leaders, and officials from the Department of Housing and the Public Housing Administration (PHA).

The gathering is organized by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (MARC-NAHRO), an affiliate of the national NAHRO organization. The Department of Housing and the PHA are serving as facilitators, with support from La Fortaleza (the Office of the Governor), the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and other agencies.

MARC-NAHRO President Paul Diggs described the conference as “much more than a meeting of housing professionals; it is a celebration of unity, collaboration, and our shared commitment to strengthening communities. Hosting the MARC-NAHRO conference in Puerto Rico for the first time marks a historic milestone and serves as a powerful reminder that, while our communities may face different challenges, our mission remains the same: to create opportunities, preserve affordable housing, and improve the quality of life for the families we serve. Under our theme, ‘United to Create Impact, Together We Rise,’ we are bringing together leaders, innovators, and housing advocates to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and transform challenges into opportunities.”

For his part, Secretary of Housing Luis Augusto Martínez Román highlighted the significance of Puerto Rico being selected to host this important event. “At the Department of Housing and the Public Housing Administration, we have worked to make a difference in the services we provide to our people, with the goal of improving their quality of life. Governor Jenniffer González Colón’s public policy is focused on addressing the needs of residents so that they may live in safe and dignified communities. Holding this event in Puerto Rico is proof that the work being done by every member of our team is truly making a difference,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Administrator of the Public Housing Administration (PHA), Juan A. Rosario Hernández, highlighted the economic development programs and the resident boards across the 328 public housing communities: “It is not just about providing housing; it is about fostering opportunities for our families. At the Public Housing Administration, we have focused on ensuring that our people have avenues for growth and the chance to reach their full potential, all while contributing to their own communities. The various programs aimed at children, youth, adults, entrepreneurs, and seniors are vital to the quality of life of our residents.”

The convention will begin on Thursday, November 12, with workshops covering topics such as affordable housing, financing, rehabilitation, maintenance, federal regulations, natural disasters, and artificial intelligence. Developers, builders, contractors, engineers, architects, and property managers are invited to register through MARC-NAHRO at their website: https://www.marcnahro.org/.

The plenary session on Friday, November 13, will feature remarks from Governor Jenniffer González Colón; Secretary Martínez Román; Administrator Rosario Hernández; Paul Diggs, President of MARC-NAHRO; and Joseph J. DeFelice, Deputy Assistant Secretary at HUD and Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic region. Benjamin Hobbs, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, will also participate. Representing Puerto Rico Public Housing, Mr. Ramón Calzada—Director of Quality of Life within the Community Programs Division—will present business initiatives for residents. Meanwhile, Ms. Doris Ann Gaetán, a management analyst also with the Community Programs Division, will explain the work being carried out in collaboration with 16 managing agents to strengthen and sustain resident boards across the vast majority of the island’s 328 public housing developments.

Finally, on Saturday, November 14, the organization’s leadership will visit El Falansterio—Puerto Rico’s first public housing project—and Bayshore Villas, a mixed-finance development; both are located in Old San Juan.

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