Housing Assistance Strengthens Leadership Team

Longtime Barnstable Town Councilor Eric R. Steinhilber has joined Housing Assistance as VP of External Affairs. His experience in government will enable Housing Assistance to better advocate with local and state officials for policy changes that will help address the region’s housing crisis.

“At a time when shelters are filled and half of our workforce lives off-Cape because they can’t afford to live here, it’s clear that we must do more to solve the Cape Cod’s housing crisis,” said Magnotta. “Eric’s hands-on experience governing Cape Cod’s largest town will improve our ability to achieve zoning changes and develop housing projects that will help increase the availability, diversity, and affordability of housing in our region.”

Steinhilber has served as a Barnstable Town Councilor for 10 years. As Housing Assistance VP of External Affairs, he will create, develop, coordinate, implement and supervise Housing Assistance’s marketing, advertising, public relations and legislative affairs efforts. He will oversee and direct government affairs and advocacy initiatives, programs, staff and contractors, as well as support the agency’s senior staff in engaging legislators on behalf of Housing Assistance to advocate for budget, contract, and policy implications on the local and state level.

First elected to the Barnstable Town Council in 2013, Steinhilber was the council’s vice-president for one term and president for two terms. He chaired the council’s Zoning and Regulatory Sub-Committee and Asset Management Committee. He has also served as second vice-president of the Massachusetts Municipal Councilors’ Association.

Steinhilber also has been the vice president of development for the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound since 2021. Previously, he was an Assistant Community Manager for Everleigh Cape Cod/Greystar, Inc, a 225-unit resort-style apartment community in Hyannis, and President of Homeport Realty Group.

“I am honored to join the team at Housing Assistance, an organization that has been working to keep Cape Codders housed for almost 50 years,” said Steinhilber. “As Cape Cod has changed over the decades, so has its housing needs. I look forward to working with state and local officials to find new solutions to address the housing crisis in our region.”

Another addition to the Housing Assistance leadership team is Laurel Beyer, the new Senior Director of Marketing & Communications. She will be responsible for managing both internal and external communications, executing marketing initiatives, and enhancing the organization's public image.

Beyer brings a strong background in communications, marketing, and public relations to her new role. Before joining the Housing Assistance team, she was Senior Director of Communications for Colliers International, a global commercial real estate service firm; Head of Marketing for Cronin Development, a Boston-based real estate developer; and Chief Marketing Officer for Arrowstreet Architecture & Design in Boston. She has also served as the co-chair of NAIOP’s Marketing and Membership Committee for the past two years and is a member of the Program Committee.

Also joining the Housing Assistance staff is Christina Wiseman. As the Director of Events, she will be responsible for managing Housing Assistance events (including the Walk for Hope, Oysters & Champagne, and Give Hope Where You Live community fundraisers) as well as event-specific sponsorships.

Wiseman previously worked at the Duffy Health Center in Hyannis, where she was Associate Director of Communications & Advancement. She is a member of the board of directors of Cape Cod Young Professionals and chairs CCYP’s Civic & Community Engagement Committee.

“I am thrilled to add such talented people to our roster here at Housing Assistance,” Magnotta said. “These new team members strengthen our organization in meaningful ways as we continue to work to ensure that everyone in our region has safe and stable housing.”

About Housing Assistance
Housing Assistance has provided a spectrum of services to help our homeless and vulnerable neighbors secure a safe, stable place to call home since 1974. These programs and services include homeless outreach, family shelters, rental vouchers, affordable housing development, energy efficiency programs, and first-time homebuyer support. Housing Assistance also works to address the root causes of housing instability – lack of inventory and lack of affordability – that affect almost all income levels in our region. To learn more, visit www.haconcapecod.org.