Dean Christon, executive director and CEO of the New Hampshire Housing, announced today that he will retire at the end of this year.

Christon, who has led the organization, also called the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority since 2007, has held leadership roles there for more than 33 years. Christon has long been influential in advocating for affordable housing for New Hampshire families, as well as working with state officials on economic and community development strategies.

“His impact on the state of New Hampshire is seen in the countless families that were able to buy homes, find safe and stable apartments, and have the supportive housing that is so important to their health and well-being. Dean used the tools of the Housing Finance Authority to build an economy that builds the homes,” Board Chair Donald L. Shumway said in a statement.

The New Hampshire Housing board has hired a firm, Kittleman & Assoc., to conduct a national search for Christon’s successor.

“It has been an honor to serve New Hampshire Housing in various roles and it has been my privilege to serve alongside an extraordinary group of professionals who are committed to meeting the housing needs of the people of our state in a manner that demonstrates creativity, a commitment to excellence, and compassion for our fellow citizens. This work has been, and will continue to be, critical to meeting the needs of tens of thousands of New Hampshire families,” Christon said in a statement.

Prior to joining New Hampshire Housing in 1987, Christon was staff director for the Joint Committee on Review of Agencies and Programs for the New Hampshire General Court. He serves as a member of the state of New Hampshire’s Council of Partner Agencies, the New Hampshire Community Development Advisory Committee, and the Council on Housing Stability. He also has been on the board of directors of the National Council of State Housing Agencies.

Christon is vice chair of the Advisory Board of the Saint Anselm College Center for Ethics in Society, and is a trustee of NeighborWorks Southern NH. Christon is past chair of the board of directors of Granite United Way. He has served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Community Development Advisory Council, and Community Development Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.