Arthur Jemison

Biography: Arthur Jemison is the Executive Director of the Detroit Housing Commission, where he leads efforts to expand access to quality affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods, and strengthen community development in Detroit. He returned to Detroit in September 2024 after serving in prominent planning and development roles at the federal and municipal levels. Most recently, Jemison served as Chief of Planning and Director of the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), where he oversaw long-range planning, zoning, and development for the City of Boston. Prior to his time in Boston, he was appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Community Planning & Development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), playing a key role in advancing national housing strategies and equitable urban policy. Earlier in his career, Jemison served as Director of the Housing & Revitalization Department for the City of Detroit, where he directed the City’s housing policy, HUD entitlement funding, and strategic investments to preserve and grow the city’s housing stock. Before that, he held senior positions in both the public and private sectors, including as Deputy Undersecretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Department of Housing and Community Development and in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Development in Washington, D.C. With deep expertise in urban planning, housing finance, and policy, Jemison brings a wealth of experience and a proven commitment to inclusive growth and equitable development.