Fairstead, the purpose-driven real estate firm with a massive national footprint in affordable housing, announced a significant addition to its leadership team with deep ties to the Garden State.
Keith Kinard, a veteran administrator who previously led housing authorities in some of New Jersey’s most prominent cities, has been appointed as Senior Director of Public Housing. In this new role, Kinard will oversee Fairstead’s public housing practice, focusing on high-impact partnerships between public housing authorities and private-sector stakeholders.
Kinard’s appointment brings a wealth of local expertise to Fairstead. His career includes serving as the Executive Director and CEO for the Housing Authorities of Newark, Morristown, and Summit.
During his tenure in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Kinard oversaw the management of more than 13,000 public housing units and 12,000 Housing Choice Vouchers. His track record includes leading over $750 million in affordable and mixed-income developments, utilizing complex federal tools such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, HOPE VI, and Choice Neighborhoods.
“Keith brings a scaled track record across the Northeast,” the firm stated, noting his particular skill in structuring innovative partnerships that revitalize aging public housing stock through private-sector investment.
Kinard’s leadership has also been defined by a commitment to the “green” evolution of affordable housing. He has driven more than $200 million in renewable energy investments integrated directly into affordable housing communities, ensuring that sustainability and utility savings are accessible to low-income residents.
Prior to joining Fairstead, Kinard led public housing initiatives for Winn Development. He remains a national figure in housing policy, serving on the board of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) in Washington, D.C., and locally on the Community Development Block Grant Board of Union County, N.J.
Fairstead currently owns and manages more than 30,000 units across 28 states. By bringing Kinard on board, the firm is signaling an aggressive push to deepen its relationships with municipal housing authorities that are looking to modernize their facilities through HUD-backed conversion programs.
Kinard, who holds a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, will leverage his decades of experience to navigate the regulatory and financial complexities of large-scale public housing redevelopments.
For Fairstead, the move reinforces its mission to be a “comprehensive platform” for affordable housing—one that manages everything from acquisition and construction to long-term property management. With a Jersey-born expert at the helm of its public housing division, the firm is well-positioned to tackle the growing housing crisis in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
