Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) today announced the selection of Eric Shupin as its next chief executive officer.
Shupin brings extensive experience advancing housing policy, organizational strategy, and systems change in Massachusetts. Known for his collaborative leadership style and ability to align diverse stakeholders, he has worked across government, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to expand housing access and affordability.
“I’m honored to return to CHAPA at such an important moment for housing in Massachusetts,” said Shupin. “For decades, CHAPA has brought people together to drive meaningful progress on the Commonwealth’s most pressing housing challenges, and I’m excited to build on that legacy. I look forward to working with the team and our partners statewide to take on the challenges ahead and continue delivering results for residents and communities across the Commonwealth.”
Shupin most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC), where he helped stand up the state’s cabinet-level housing secretariat and led the drafting and implementation of the Affordable Homes Act, a landmark $5.2 billion housing investment and reform package.
“Eric was one of the first staff to join HLC, and over the past three years his knowledge, expertise and positive attitude have helped turn great ideas into impactful policies that are now working to deliver more homes, faster,” said Juana Matias, Secretary of HLC. “We are immensely proud as he steps-up to lead CHAPA and grateful that his voice and vision will continue to guide housing policy here in Massachusetts for years to come.”
Prior to his role at EOHLC, Shupin served as Director of Public Policy at CHAPA, shaping its state and federal advocacy agenda and strengthening its role as a trusted convener across the housing field.
“After a thorough search, we are elated to welcome Eric Shupin back to the CHAPA team,” said Leslie Reid, board president of CHAPA and director of investment programs at Massachusetts Housing and Investment Corporation (MHIC). “His background in housing policy and consensus building and his commitment to creating thriving communities in Massachusetts will bolster CHAPA’s ongoing work to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable, and welcoming place to call home. With Eric at the helm as our next chief executive officer, we are excited to see him further the great work CHAPA is doing to make a better Massachusetts for everyone through housing.”
For nearly 60 years, CHAPA has been at the forefront of housing advocacy, providing policy leadership, coalition-building, and research to expand affordable housing opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Under Shupin’s leadership, CHAPA aims to deepen its impact and accelerate progress toward housing equity.
“CHAPA has been an incredible partner to our administration. They were instrumental in the development of our Affordable Homes Act and in our continuing efforts to build more housing across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Eric has been at the helm of those efforts for our administration, advancing our state’s housing policy and driving our commitment to more affordable and more accessible housing. We’re thrilled to support him in this new chapter as CEO of CHAPA.”
“For years, Eric has been an incredible advocate for housing. His leadership at HLC led to the passing of our landmark housing legislation and to thousands of new homes being built across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “While we’re sad to see him go, we’re thrilled to work with him in this new role and to continue our administration’s collaboration with CHAPA.”
Shupin will step into the role on June 15, 2026. He will succeed Rachel Heller, who served as chief executive officer of CHAPA for nearly a decade before transitioning to the executive director role at Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP).