The National Apartment Association (NAA) has welcomed accomplished housing economist George Ratiu as Vice President, Research.
Ratiu joins NAA with more than 15 years of experience across trade associations, Fortune 500 companies and the federal government. Most recently, he served as a financial economist for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where his macroeconomic, market and credit risk research directly supported the Federal Housing Administration’s $168 billion portfolio of commercial real estate loans.
“Housing is a central and vital component of our families, communities, and the broader economy," said Ratiu. "It is also currently in the spotlight of public conversations, from policy deliberations to the latest market trends. Considering the complexity of issues, our research must help our members, the broader rental housing industry and lawmakers make informed, data-backed decisions. I’m excited to join NAA’s team of housing experts and accomplished researchers to develop insights that empower clear decisions with a lasting impact.”
A published author and public speaker, Ratiu’s longtime passion for housing research was evident throughout his over ten years of service with the National Association of Realtors®. There, his leadership significantly expanded the research function and delivered important research reports for their membership. Ratiu was also a regular media spokesperson, providing insights and research into housing, economics and technology during his tenure with Realtor.com. Throughout his career, Ratiu earned a M.A. in Economics from Western Kentucky University as well as postgraduate certificates from Georgetown University, the CCIM Institute and the National Association for Business Economics.
In his new role, Ratiu will lead NAA’s research function and develop timely research and analysis that helps rental housing providers – and Americans at large – make informed housing decisions.