IN MEMORIAM: Affordable Housing Champion Rose Noonan

A true icon in the fight for affordable housing in the New York metro area has passed away. Rose Noonan, the executive director of the Tarrytown-based Housing Action Council, died on May 19 at the age of 73.

Noonan (also known as Rosemarie Gordon) has been working tirelessly to advance affordable housing in Westchester County and the surrounding area for decades.

At the Housing Action Council, Noonan advised numerous non-profit organizations, religious groups, community organizations and civic leaders on affordable housing needs, policies and strategies. She has led Housing Action Council’s Technical Assistance Program enabling non-profit housing organizations, human service agencies, and emerging developers to develop affordable housing resulting in thousands of housing units in New York’s Hudson Valley region. She has guided municipalities and affordable housing committees through review and evaluation of land use policies and property disposition strategies related to affordable housing and property disposition strategies and drafted rules and regulations on local affordable housing programs.

She managed Housing Action Council’s joint ventures with developers serving as the non-profit sponsor of thousands of affordable housing units. She directed HAC’s affirmative marketing initiatives assuring compliance with federal, state and local fair housing laws. She managed the City of Yonkers Affordable Housing Office, which was responsible for implementing a housing desegregation order and assisted the County of Westchester comply with a housing settlement. She continued to assist Westchester County on its affordable housing initiatives until her passing. She administered several relocation programs which involved the redevelopment of properties owned by public housing authorities.

Noonan was born in Brooklyn to Daniel and Josephine Noonan. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She went on to pursue a remarkable career, including positions on the staff of Senator Ted Kennedy at the US Catholic Conference, National Leased Housing Association (the main lobbying organization for the Section 8 housing program), and worked at HUD. While working, Noonan completed her Master’s degree from Georgetown University. She went on to work at the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal under Victor Marrero before joining the Housing Action Council (HAC).

She has served on the Affordable Housing Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Business Advisory Board of Orange Bank & Trust Company, and the board of Westchester Women’s Agenda. She attended Trinity College in Washington, DC, received an advanced degree in Government from Georgetown University, and is a graduate of Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

A number of stakeholder organizations issued statements on social media on Noonan’s impact on the region.

The Building and Realty Institute stated: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of Rose Noonan, longtime Executive Director of Housing Action Council and a tireless advocate for affordable housing in our region. Rose’s vision, partnership, and leadership helped shape more inclusive communities and opened doors for thousands of families. She was a founding force in efforts like our Welcome Home Westchester campaign and a close collaborator in countless initiatives to expand housing access.”

The Business Council of Westchester stated: “The Business Council of Westchester mourns the loss of Rosemarie “Rose” Noonan, a pioneering leader and steadfast advocate for affordable housing in our region. As the longtime Executive Director of the Housing Action Council, Rose dedicated her life to ensuring that low- and moderate-income families had access to safe, quality housing throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Her work not only transformed communities, but also laid the foundation for more equitable housing policy and development across the region…”

The Westchester County Planning Department posted the following statement on Instagram: “On behalf of the Westchester County Planning Department, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rose Noonan, former Executive Director of the Housing Action Council (HAC). Rose was a tireless advocate for affordable housing in the Hudson Valley and beyond, dedicating her career to expanding housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households. Her expertise in development, housing services, and outreach was invaluable to our department, and we were fortunate to collaborate with her for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rose’s family at this time.”

Noonan is survived by her devoted husband, Alan and their four daughters Karen, Anya (John), Jenna (Scott) & Jill (Luke). She is also survived by her eight grandchildren Charlie, Erin, Quinn, Ridge, Luca, Oakley, Cameron & Ella and her favorite grandpup Georgie.

Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Cape Cod, MA.