Ryan Fecteau, former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and a longtime advocate for affordable housing, has joined Portland-based Avesta Housing as a policy adviser.

At Avesta, New England’s largest provider of affordable housing, Fecteau will serve as senior officer of policy and planning, a newly created role.

As a member of Avesta’s real estate development team, Fecteau will support Avesta’s organizational advocacy efforts and work on municipal-level coordination to move new affordable housing developments through key milestones.

“I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and being part of the more tangible work of bringing housing to fruition in our communities,” Fecteau told Mainebiz.

Avesta has also appointed Jim Hanley to its board of directors, the nonprofit said in a separate announcement.

Hanley has been president of Portland-based Wishcamper Cos. Inc. since 2021. Wishcamper is a housing developer with more than 7,000 affordable housing units nationwide. It also invests in renewable energy projects.

Hanley joined the board for a three-year term, effective Nov. 1.

“I am honored to serve on the board of Avesta Housing, and I believe strongly in their mission to provide safe, quality affordable housing,” said Hanley.