Portland, OR – Ivory Mathews is resigning from her position as CEO of Home Forward, effective May 1, 2026. The Board Chair has accepted her resignation on behalf of the Board.

Michael Buonocore, former executive director of Home Forward and interim bureau director for the Portland Housing Bureau, has agreed to step in as interim for a period of months while the Board conducts a search for its next leader.

Mathews led Home Forward for over four years. She has agreed to partner with Home Forward and Buonocore during the transition.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Mathews for her time and contributions to Home Forward and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” said Matthew Gebhardt, chair of the Home Forward Board of Commissioners. “Our focus remains on our mission of providing housing stability and affordability. We as an organization have work to do to improve our accountability and performance. Our commitment to those initiatives remains our top priority,” added Gebhardt.

Buonocore previously worked at Home Forward from 2001 to 2022. He joined as a resident services manager and played a variety of roles in policy and planning, serving as executive director from 2014 to 2022.

“I’m deeply committed to the work of Home Forward and to the talented, hardworking team that shows up every day for the people and communities we serve. Affordable housing is facing historic challenges due to federal cuts and increasing need, and our employees are on the front lines of that work. We take seriously our responsibility to perform at the highest level. Strengthening our accountability to residents, partners, and the public is the top priority I will carry as interim. I look forward to working alongside this team to do right by the mission,” said Michael Buonocore, interim executive director of Home Forward.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported the Housing Authority’s mission and the important work we do every day. I remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition and to supporting the organization during this period,”, said Ivory Mathews, CEO of Home Forward.

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