KCDC hires Kingston as vice president of housing
Submitted by Scott Bird
February 16, 2021

Richard J. Kingston, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has hired Richard J. Kingston as vice president of housing.

“Richard will direct KCDC’s affordable housing programs and oversee our sustainability and modernization programs,” said Ben Bentley, executive director and CEO of KCDC. “He will work with local government, community members, residents and civic groups to manage affordable housing programs. His extensive background in the field also has focused on the intersection of health and housing. We welcome Richard to the team and know he will advance our mission at KCDC.”

Prior to joining KCDC, he served as vice president of sustainability for the Housing Partnership Network in Boston, a business collaborative of 100 of the country’s leading affordable housing and community development nonprofits.

Kingston has more than 20 years of experience in affordable housing. He was vice president of property management at Project HOME in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization helps individuals break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through affordable housing, employment, health care and education.

He is a Certified Assisted Housing Manager, Certified Occupancy Specialist and Tax Credit Specialist through the National Center for Housing Management and is skilled in LEED, the WELL Building Standard and Passive House construction models, which focus on energy conservation and the “healthy built” environment – neighborhood design that supports good health.

Kingston is a frequent guest speaker at housing events centered on healthy and energy-efficient materials, modular construction, and building and operational sustainability in affordable housing.

He relocated from Simsbury, Connecticut, and lives in downtown Knoxville. In his spare time, Kingston enjoys seeing old architecture, exploring parks and trail running. He also participates in homeless outreach.

About Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County. KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit www.kcdc.org.