About Matt Arlyn

With over 15 years of experience in disaster recovery, Matt Arlyn has become a trusted authority in navigating the complex intersection of federal funding, policy development, and long-term housing solutions. From the early days of his career to leading major state recovery efforts, Matt has maintained a clear mission: to help communities rebuild smarter, faster, and more equitably after disaster.

Matt’s career spans leadership roles in both public and private sectors. He has directed large-scale recovery programs for North Carolina and Louisiana, where his leadership turned around underperforming systems into national success stories. His strategic approach to federal grant management has been instrumental in the development of more than ten post-disaster Action Plans, serving states including Texas, California, Puerto Rico, and Virginia. His work has directly supported the allocation and efficient use of billions in federal recovery funds.

National agencies have taken note—Matt has been sought out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for his specialized knowledge in post-disaster housing. He co-authored foundational HUD manuals and led a nationally recognized Emergency Rental Assistance Program that aided nearly 100,000 households. As a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and frequent HUD contributor, he brings both technical depth and operational leadership to every engagement.

Today, Matt lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with his partner and their young son. His legacy continues to be one of recovery, reform, and rebuilding—helping communities nationwide prepare for the challenges of tomorrow through effective leadership, sound policy, and results-driven strategy. Read Matt’s insights on his blog.