Philip Mangano

Phil Mangano is leaving his post as president of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance to head a federal group.

Mangano will become the new executive director of the Interagency Homeless Council, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday.

The council is an independent group that coordinates the activities of 15 federal agencies to improve the delivery of housing and services to individuals and families. It was established by Congress in 1987 to help streamline the government’s approach to homelessness.

MHSA’s Mary Ellen Hombs told Banker & Tradesman on Friday that Mangano was on a short holiday and unavailable for comment. She also said he hadn’t seen the press release.

Brian Sullivan, a HUD spokesman, said Mangano’s office had been contacted Thursday about the press release. Sullivan said he did not know when Mangano would take over the Washington, D.C.-based council.

Mangano has been at the helm of the MHSA, a statewide coalition of 76 agencies operating more than 200 programs that serve homeless people, for more than 12 years.

Mangano helped transform Massachusetts’ system of care for the homeless into a national model recognized by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, according to the HUD press release.

Last year, the national alliance recognized MHSA’s efforts with the Nonprofit Sector Achievement Award.

Over the years, Bay State leaders have also appointed Mangano to several advisory councils and commissions focusing on housing, homeless services and healthcare.