BOSTON -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley announced June 11 that William Grogan has been appointed as the new president of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs. Grogan succeeds Lisa B. Alberghini, president of the Planning Office since 2003, who said in May that she would be stepping down July 5 to take a position with a national affordable housing organization.

Grogan has been involved in affordable housing, economic development, and community revitalization work for 25 years. Since joining the Planning Office in 2005 as its chief operating officer and general counsel, he has been responsible for overseeing the Planning Office's operations, legal work, and all aspects of its development efforts, including the acquisition, financing, construction, and property management of its affordable and mixed-income housing and mixed-use developments.

"Bill Grogan's long-standing commitment to the mission of developing affordable housing and his extensive experience in guiding the collaboration needed for this important work are a blessing for the individuals and families so greatly in need of affordable housing," Cardinal O'Malley said in the statement announcing Grogan's appointment.

"Bill's highly developed skills will provide the archdiocese the opportunity to advance the projects currently in the planning stages and to develop new opportunities under his leadership," the cardinal added.

Since 1969, the Planning Office has completed close to 40 developments with nearly 3,000 units of affordable and mixed-income housing. This has impacted more than 12,000 people and channeled in excess of $625 million of investment into neighborhoods and towns throughout metropolitan Boston. Additionally, at least 25 percent of all rental housing developed by the Planning Office is for the benefit of those at risk of or transitioning from homelessness.

While at the Planning Office, Grogan has had a particular focus on structuring complex legal and financial transactions that ensure a high mission outcome, and he has worked on projects that range in size from $5 million to $70 million. In addition to his development work, he has been responsible for managing the operations of the Planning Office, including all corporate and project accounting and financial aspects; asset management efforts; work with corporate entities; legal work at both the corporate and development project levels; and new initiatives, such as development in gateway cities and the Planning Office's emerging work in housing as a social determinant of health.

Grogan reaffirmed his commitment to the Planning Office's mission in accepting his new position.

"We have an obligation to ensure that the housing needs of all are met and given the shortage of affordable housing across the Commonwealth, our work is more important than ever. For 50 years, the Planning Office has developed innovative approaches to create permanent affordable housing and integrated, vibrant communities. We look forward to building on this history by expanding our relationships with existing partners and creating new and innovative approaches to meet the needs of those who lack adequate housing," said Grogan.

John J. Noone, chair of the board of the Planning Office, welcomed Grogan's appointment.

"The Planning Office has accomplished a great deal, but there is much work left to be done as so many people in our communities still do not have access to decent, safe affordable housing, and Bill is the perfect person to lead POUA's efforts going forward. In addition to his strong commitment, he has very significant technical skills, great respect in the affordable housing development community and a real concern for our residents. The board is very grateful that he will become the next president," Noone said.