Joint Center for Housing Studies Names Interim Director

Kennedy School's John Meyer to replace outgoing head H. James Brown

John Meyer, the James W. Harpel professor of capital formation and economic growth at the Kennedy School of Government, will assume the position of interim director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies on May 1, according to Graduate School of Design Dean Peter Rowe.

Meyer replaces H. James Brown, professor of city and regional planning and current director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies, who has been appointed president of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Rowe noted that Meyer's work has been closely related to the Center's activities for more than 20 years and that his acclaimed research on economic and social markets as well as his extensive leadership skills will provide an excellent transition for the Center. Over the next year, Rowe will oversee a formal search for the Center's next director.

Since 1958, the Joint Center for Housing Studies has conducted programs of research, education, and public outreach that focus on housing and the role of housing in improving the quality of life in America. The Joint Center brings together faculty and scholars from the academic community, as well as representatives from government, business, and not-for-profit organizations, to examine and address the most critical housing and community development issues of the era.

Professor H. James Brown was appointed director of the Joint Center in 1982. Under his tenure, the Center launched the State of the Nation's Housing, an annual report that has become the definitive source on overall housing conditions in the United States. In addition, he spearheaded innovative studies on the future of the home building industry, remodeling and renovation, and manufactured housing. He also helped to expand the Joint Center's research agenda to include the study of housing in other parts of North America. Recently, the Center launched a comprehensive study of the Mexican housing industry in collaboration with INFONAVIT, one of the largest housing finance firms in Mexico.

Brown began his Harvard career in 1970 as an assistant professor within the city and regional planning program at the Graduate School of Design. He was appointed full professor in 1975. Before coming to Harvard, Brown served as a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from Ohio Wesleyan University and attended the London School of Economics. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Indiana University.