BOSTON — John B. Cruz III, President and CEO of Cruz Companies, will take center stage as a featured speaker at the upcoming “Multifamily, Affordable Housing & MBTA Communities Act Roundtable,” hosted by Boston Real Estate Times on April 22 at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
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Cruz is expected to bring decades of experience in affordable housing development to the discussion, offering insight into one of Massachusetts’ most pressing challenges: expanding housing supply amid rising costs and evolving policy frameworks. His leadership of Cruz Companies—one of the nation’s largest 100% Black-owned construction, development, and management firms—has positioned him as a key voice in shaping equitable housing solutions.
Other speakers at the roundtable include Ian Gillespie, Founder and CEO of Gillespie and Co., Inc.; David A. Libardoni, Partner at Nutter; Michael J. Mattos, Executive Director of Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc.; and Moddie Turay, President and CEO of Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation.
Founded in 1948, the family-run organization has delivered more than 3,500 affordable homes across the United States. Under Cruz’s direction, the firm has continued to expand its impact through projects such as the Residences at Harvard Commons, the Michael E. Haynes Arms Apartments, and multiple developments in Nubian Square. These efforts emphasize not only housing production but also job creation and support for minority-owned businesses.
The roundtable comes at a pivotal time as stakeholders respond to the implementation of the MBTA Communities Act, ongoing housing shortages, and increasing development costs. Cruz is expected to address how developers can navigate these pressures while maintaining a focus on affordability and community investment.
Held at the Burlington Marriott Hotel, the event will convene leaders from across the real estate ecosystem to explore topics such as zoning reform, transit-oriented development, and innovative financing strategies. Organizers say the discussion will focus on practical, solutions-driven approaches to closing the region’s persistent housing gap.
As part of the publication’s monthly breakfast series, the April 22 event is anticipated to draw strong interest from developers, policymakers, and housing advocates seeking actionable insights. Cruz’s perspective—grounded in decades of hands-on development and a commitment to equitable growth—is expected to be a highlight of the program.
