Former Executive Director, IMPACCT Brooklyn

Deb Howard

Deb Howard, began her career as a VISTA volunteer for a nonprofit CBO in Chicago in 1972 after graduating as an Urban Studies major from Knox College.  She started at Pratt Area Community Council – PACC, (currently doing business as IMPACCT Brooklyn) in 1990 working with tenants, landlords and small homeowners and subsequently became a certified homeowner counselor specializing in foreclosure prevention. During her years at IMPACCT, she overseen the development and property management of 1,000 units of affordable housing, and the recent refinancing of 59 occupied buildings (492 units) in Bedford Stuyvesant,  preserving their affordability for another 30 years. With a budget of close to 5 million, the organization’s 49 staff members provide homebuyer and homeowner counseling, social services to persons with HIV/Aids, tenant and community organizing, tenant counseling, business retention and attraction activities as well as affordable housing development. Ms. Howard spearheaded the organization move to Crown Heights and had the vision and foresight to house the organizations core programs under one roof to better serve clients. In addition, she was the impetus for the organization’s recent name change and rebranding campaign.

After 26 stellar years with the agency, Ms. Howard recently retired and remains active in the community.

She serves on the boards of the FAB Alliance (Central Fulton Street BID), Brooklyn Legal Services, and is a member of Supportive Housing Network of NY, Brooklyn Speaks and the Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford Stuyvesant’s All for One collaboration. Ms. Howard also finds time to serve as an Elder on the Session of Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, where she Chairs the Stewardship committee.