Advocates' Guide Authors - National Low Income Housing ...
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Advocates’ Guide Authors
MICHAEL ANDERSON leads NLIHC’s research team that annually
documents the housing needs of low-income
Michael Anderson is the Director of the renters (published in The Gap and Out of Reach)
Community Change’s Housing Trust Fund and conducts research that informs housing
Project. For three decades, the Project has policy. Andrew has extensive experience in
operated as a clearinghouse of information on research and affordable housing. He previously
housing trust funds throughout the country, served as a faculty member in the Department
providing technical and strategic assistance to of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida State
organizations and agencies working to create or University, where he taught graduate courses
implement these funds. in research methods and housing policy, and
Based in Portland, Oregon, Michael provides where he completed research on the impact of
technical assistance and support to state comprehensive planning and land use principles
and local coalitions working to establish and on the supply of affordable housing for low-
strengthen housing trust funds that dedicate income households. Andrew received his PhD
public revenue to creating and preserving and MSW from the University of Pittsburgh.
affordable housing for people with the lowest
incomes. OLIVIA BARROW
Olivia Barrow is the Policy Manager for the Low
OLIVIA ARENA Income Investment Fund (LIIF), where she
Olivia Arena serves as a Housing Advocacy advocates for federal programs that support
Organizer on the National Low Income Housing CDFIs. This advocacy ranges from technical
Coalition’s (NLIHC) field team. Previously, she recommendations to improve complex financing
spent several years conducting place-based structures for real estate transactions, to
social and economic policy research in the advocating for increased funding levels for
Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy proven and effective subsidy programs. Olivia
Center at the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research also maintains a strong emphasis on clearly
organization in Washington, DC. At Urban, Olivia’s and succinctly communicating policy priorities
research focused on equitable development with different audiences, lawmakers, partner
and neighborhood change, food access, climate organizations, and the general public. Olivia
resilience, housing as a platform for service earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s
delivery, and the 2020 Census. She specialized degree from the George Washington University.
in community-engaged research, conducting
projects in communities across the country, and TRISTIA BAUMAN
honed her network management skills as a staff Tristia Bauman combines litigation, legal
member of the National Neighborhood Indicators education, and legislative advocacy strategies
Partnership. Prior to her work at Urban, Olivia to prevent and end homelessness. As a Senior
graduated from the University of Texas at Attorney with the National Homelessness Law
Austin, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Center, her work focuses on combating the
International Relations and Global Studies and criminalization of homelessness and advocating
Urban Studies. for laws that protect the civil and human rights
of homeless people. Tristia also conducts legal
ANDREW AURAND trainings around the country, writes reports and
Andrew Aurand joined the National Low other publications related to housing, and serves
Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) in July as a legal resource for homeless advocates.
2015 as Vice President for Research. Andrew Tristia began her law career at Legal Services of
AP–16 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEGreater Miami, Inc. as a housing attorney working at HUD’s Office of HIV/AIDS Housing, which
with low-income tenants in federally subsidized administers the Housing Opportunities for
housing. She later served for several years as an Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program that
Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County. provides more than $330 million in funding
to local communities. Dr. Bennett received his
RUSTY BENNETT doctorate from the University of Alabama’s
Dr. Russell Bennett, LGSW PhD, serves as School of Social Work in 2009.
the Chief Executive Officer of Collaborative
Solutions, Inc. (CS), with an administrative
STEVE BERG
office in Birmingham, Alabama, providing Steve Berg serves as Vice President for Programs
organizational management and program and Policy with the National Alliance to End
implementation services. Dr. Bennett currently Homelessness. Steve specializes in employment,
serves as the Executive Director of the National economic development and human services, and
AIDS Housing Coalition and Executive Director the crossover between those issues and housing.
of the Professional Association of Social Prior to joining the Alliance, Steve worked with
Workers in HIV & AIDS since the appointment of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, on
Collaborative Solutions as those organizations’ state-level welfare reform and employment.
management agent providing both administrative Before coming to Washington DC, Steve spent 14
and program services. As CEO and founding years as a legal services attorney in California and
director of CS, Bennett has developed CS as Connecticut, working on housing, government
a leader in the delivery of a comprehensive benefits, employment and family integrity. Steve’s
array of services for nonprofit, state, and local experience includes nonprofit management and
government organizations serving the housing staff training and development.
and health needs of vulnerable populations. CS is
a designated technical assistance (TA) provider VICTORIA BOURRET
for HUD providing national TA in the areas of Victoria Bourret serves as the National Low
HIV/AIDS housing, homelessness, health, and Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) Senior
behavioral health among populations and in Organizer for Housing Advocacy. Prior to joining
areas that are especially hard to serve. In addition NLIHC, Tori served as a Communications and
to his national TA work, Dr. Bennett oversees Project Manager at the Housing Alliance of
CS’s Rural Supportive Housing Initiative and Pennsylvania, a state partner of NLIHC. Tori
national initiatives integrating housing and provided management and outreach assistance
health. Dr. Bennett directs CS’ research and for policy campaigns and specialized projects at
evaluation efforts with an emphasis in program the Housing Alliance. Victoria was also in charge
evaluation, community- and individual- social of all communications at the Housing Alliance,
determinants of health, special needs housing, including social media, the newsletter, and the
rural and macro social work practice. Dr. Bennett website. Prior to her role at the Housing Alliance,
is an adjunct faculty member with the University Victoria served two terms in AmeriCorps, one
of Alabama School of Social Work, teaching with AmeriCorps NCCC in Denver, Colorado and
in the areas of social work research, program one with Public Allies in Delaware. Tori earned
evaluation, and nonprofit management. With her B.A. in Women Studies and Psychology from
nearly 20 years of experience working with issues the University of Delaware and her MSW from the
related to homelessness, housing, and health University of Pennsylvania.
for vulnerable populations, he has experience
in working with nonprofit organizations and the JEN BUTLER
federal government. In his role with the federal
Jen Butler serves as the National Low Income
government, first as a President Management
Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) Director of Media
Intern and as a career employee, he worked
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–17Relations and Communications. In this role, Jen interested in the broader systems that impact
is responsible for effective and efficient media access to safe and affordable housing. She is a
and communications efforts, in support of the recent graduate of the University of Maryland,
Coalition’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives. where she earned a Master of Social Work with
Jen’s work in marketing and communications a concentration in community action and social
has included management of a diverse portfolio policy. Alayna has a Bachelor of Arts in English
of campaigns for both local and national brands. and Psychology from the University of Notre
Jen’s experience includes work in entertainment, Dame.
media, on-air, and the non-profit sector. In her
previous roles, Jen has worked extensively in MICHAEL CALHOUN
branding, programming, and marketing strategy. Mike Calhoun is president of the Center for
Jen is a graduate of Georgia State University, Responsible Lending (CRL), the policy affiliate
where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in of Self-Help, the nation’s largest community
Journalism with a concentration in Public and development lender. He considers himself
Political Communications. “fortunate to work with an extraordinarily
talented staff and a dedicated coalition of
ROXY CAINES organizations fighting to provide economic
Roxy Caines leads Earned Income Tax Credit opportunity and advancement for low- and
outreach efforts as Campaign Director for moderate-income families and families of
the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, color.” For more than 30 years, Mike has been
a Washington-based nonprofit organization on the front lines of working for economic
that conducts research and policy analysis on justice. At CRL, he provides management
issues that impact lower-income Americans. and policy leadership. Based in DC, he often
The Center has spearheaded a national public testifies in Congress and appears frequently
education campaign on tax credits for lower- in national media as an expert on financial
income workers each year since 1989. Roxy helps issues. Prior to joining CRL in 2002, Mike led
local agencies and community groups across the several lending divisions at Self-Help, providing
country to organize outreach efforts and promote responsible consumer loans, mortgages
free tax filing assistance programs. Through her and small business loans, and heading an
work with several non-profit organizations Caines innovative program to provide national capital
has also developed experience in instruction, for affordable home loans. He has represented
curriculum development, workshop facilitation, families to secure civil rights and consumer
research and grant writing. She holds a B.A. protections, including working for ten years
degree in Speech Communications from Howard as a legal aid attorney. He is a former member
University. and chair of the Federal Reserve Consumer
Advisory Committee. Mike received his BA
ALAYNA CALABRO degree in economics from Duke University,
Alayna Calabro serves on National Low Income and his JD degree from the University of North
Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) policy team to Carolina.
identify, analyze, and advocate for federal
coronavirus relief policy that addresses the
DAVID COOPER
urgent needs facing low-income renters and David Cooper is a Senior Analyst with the
people experiencing homelessness. Alayna Economic Policy Institute and the Deputy
previously worked at NLIHC as a field intern Director of the Economic Analysis and Research
while completing her graduate studies. As a case Network (EARN) in Washington, DC. He conducts
manager intern with Catholic Charities, Alayna national and state-level research, with a focus
witnessed the detrimental effects of housing on the minimum wage, wage theft, employment
instability on her clients’ well-being and became and unemployment, poverty, and wage and
AP–18 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEincome trends. He also coordinates and provides Orleans, the HUD designated Continuum of Care,
support to EARN, a national network of more where she successfully led an initiative to secure
than 60 state level policy research and advocacy 3,000 permanent supportive housing vouchers
organizations. David’s research on the minimum from Congress for poor and disabled residents
wage has been used by policymakers in city halls in the state of Louisiana. In this role, she was
and statehouses across the country, as well as in also instrumental in the creation of a statewide
Congress and the White House. He has testified office designated to coordinate homeless services
in many states and cities on the challenges and the re-establishment of the Louisiana
facing low-wage workers and low-income Interagency Council on Homelessness. Chandra
families. David has been interviewed and cited is proud to note that her first legislative victory
by numerous local and national media, including was the enactment of a five-year pilot needle
The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall exchange program in the state of Delaware, while
Street Journal, and NPR. He holds a Bachelor of she was the Policy Coordinator at the Delaware
Arts degree in English and Government from HIV Consortium. Chandra earned her Ph.D. in
Georgetown University and a Master of Public Public Policy from Purdue University.
Policy degree from the McCourt School of Public
Policy at Georgetown University. JAMIE L. CROOK
Jamie serves as Director of Litigation for the
LINDA COUCH Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS),
Linda is the Vice President, Housing Policy where she leads CGRS’s affirmative litigation,
for LeadingAge, an organization of more than direct representation work, and appellate
6,000 nonprofits representing the entire field practice before federal courts and immigration
of aging services. Linda focuses her work on agencies. Jamie has an extensive background
expanding and preserving affordable housing in complex civil rights litigation with a focus
options for very low-income seniors. After 12 on immigrants’ rights and fair housing. Prior to
years with the National Low Income Housing joining CGRS, Jamie was a senior staff attorney
Coalition, Linda rejoined LeadingAge in 2016 to at the ACLU Foundation of Northern California,
identify and advocate for solutions to America’s counsel at Relman Colfax PLLC, counsel for the
aging population, which is rapidly growing Fair Housing and Community Development
and becoming poorer. Linda has testified Project of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil
before House and Senate committees and has Rights Under Law, and a joint fellow with
a special interested in the federal budget and Altshuler Berzon LLP and the Natural Resources
appropriations processes. Linda received her Defense Council. She was a Fulbright grantee
undergraduate degree in philosophy from the in South Africa in 2009-2010, during which
George Washington University and a Master of time she clerked at the Constitutional Court and
Public Affairs from the University of Connecticut. volunteered with the Southern Africa Litigation
Centre. Jamie began her legal career as a law
CHANDRA CRAWFORD clerk to the Honorable Richard Paez on the Ninth
Chandra Crawford serves as the Director of Circuit Court of Appeals. Jamie is a member of
Individual Homeless Adults, with the National the Executive Board of the American Constitution
Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), with a Society Bay Area Lawyer Chapter and an
focus on racial equity. Chandra was previously Appellate Lawyer Representative for the Ninth
a program and policy analyst with NAEH. Prior Circuit. Jamie graduated magna cum laude from
to joining the Alliance, she worked at Gilead Brown University and obtained her law degree
Sciences and developed an evidence-based HIV from Berkeley Law, University of California, Order
screening initiative in two southern states heavily of the Coif.
impacted by the epidemic. Chandra also served
as the Policy Director at UNITY of Greater New
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–19KRISTA D’ALESSANDRO role in designing and advancing a number of
policy changes to improve and expand federal
Krista D’Alessandro is a policy analyst at rental assistance so that it more effectively
Enterprise Community Partners, where she helps low-income people afford housing.
primarily focuses on tax policy and fair housing Earlier, he held a position as an analyst at
advocacy. Prior to joining Enterprise, Krista Berkeley Policy Associates, where he evaluated
worked for the National Housing Trust as a state TANF programs and U.S. Department of
public policy fellow and served as an AmeriCorps Labor workforce development initiatives. He
volunteer in her hometown of Denver. She also worked on economic development and
has policy and research experience covering other issues at the International City/County
affordable housing, community development Management Association. Will holds a Master
and racial and economic inequity. Krista holds a of Public Policy degree from the University of
master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public
University and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics Policy.
from Boston College.
DEBBIE FOX
BAIRY DIAKITE
Debbie Fox, Senior Policy and Practice
Bairy serves as the Operations Manager with the Specialist at the National Network Against
National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). Domestic Violence (NNEDV), leads national
Before joining NLIHC, Bairy worked with human domestic violence related housing policy and
rights organizations for over six years to help provides technical assistance and training
them function efficiently and fight for creating a to NNEDV’s coalition membership and as a
more equitable and just world. He has managed part of the Domestic Violence Housing and
offices in the U.S. and globally, coordinating Technical Assistance Consortium. Debbie has
administrative processes, overseeing internal more than 20 years in the field with a focus
and external facing events, and managing on fundraising, organizational development,
partnerships with corporations, vendors, and nonprofit administration, and domestic violence
sponsors. He has supervised office relocations population-specific housing and economic justice
and construction projects, created remote- programming. Before joining NNEDV, she shared
work policy, and worked to align organizations’ community leadership in the systems planning
missions with their policies. Immediately prior to and implementation process for the DV system in
joining NLIHC, Bairy worked at Freedom House Portland, Oregon, working with all 13 domestic
where he served as the head of the operations violence victim service providers to create a
department, overseeing day-to-day operations coordinated entry process for survivors to access
for employees in Washington DC, New York, and housing, shelter, and eviction prevention and
around the world. Bairy is a graduate of Dickinson shelter diversion programs.
College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in
Political Science with a minor in sociology. LANCE GEORGE
WILL FISCHER Lance George serves as Director of Research
and Information at the Housing Assistance
Will Fisher serves as Senior Director for Housing Council. With more than 20 years of experience,
Policy and Research and Interim Program Area Lance leads the organization’s research and
Lead, with the Center on Budget and Policy policy efforts. Lance works at the intersection of
Priorities. Will focuses on federal low-income housing, research, and data to help Americans
housing programs, including Section 8 Housing who have quality and safe homes, understand
Choice Vouchers and public housing, and on and care about those who do not. Lance’s
tax policy related to affordable housing. Since research encompasses a wide array of issues and
coming to the Center in 2002, he has played a topics related to affordable housing.
AP–20 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEED GRAMLICH that provides grants to fund gaps in the financial
structure of affordable housing, community
Ed Gramlich has been with NLIHC since October revitalization projects and small business
2005. For his first two years, Ed staffed the transactions throughout the Bank’s five-state
RegWatch Project, an endeavor to expand the District. FHLB Dallas awards competitive
Coalition’s capacity to monitor federal regulatory Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants
and administrative actions, with a focus on through member institutions annually to
preserving the affordable housing stock, both support the development of affordable housing.
public and assisted. Between October 2007 and He also directs several other grant programs
January 2010, he was the Director of Outreach. that are dedicated for first time homebuyers,
Since 2010 he has led NLIHC’s efforts related to owner occupied rehab, wounded warriors, small
affordable housing regulations, as Senior Advisor, businesses, disaster rebuilding and community-
and has been NLIHC’s expert on regulations based organizations. Greg is also responsible for
related to the national Housing Trust Fund and the strategic direction, as well as the approval
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Prior to process, for of the Bank’s three community
joining the staff of the Coalition, he worked for investment advance programs. Prior to joining
26 years at the Center for Community Change the FHLB Dallas, Greg developed affordable
(CCC), where his primary function was to provide housing with Bank of America Community
technical assistance about CDBG to low-income Development Corporation (BACDC) where he
community-based groups. While at CCC, Ed also acquired, redeveloped and delivered more than
devoted considerable time to providing technical 2,700 affordable multifamily rental units and over
assistance to groups concerned about the 225 affordable single-family homes. Greg earned
negative impacts of UDAGs in their community. both his bachelor’s in finance and his Master of
Ed has a BS and MBA from Washington Business Administration from the University of
University. South Carolina.
MELISSA HARRIS ELLEN LURIE HOFFMAN
Melissa Harris serves as Director of Government Ellen Lurie Hoffman joined the National Housing
Affairs for the American Association of Service Trust in May 2014 and serves as the Senior
Coordinators (AASC), with a decade of experience Director of Federal Policy. NHT is a national
in journalism and communications. In her leader in preserving and improving affordable
previous role as an Ohio Statehouse reporter, housing, ensuring that privately owned rental
she closely monitored policies and politics with housing remains in our affordable housing stock
a focus on education and health. She has served and is sustainable over time. Ms. Lurie Hoffman is
as a board member of the Ohio Legislative responsible for federal housing policy spanning
Correspondents Association and her work has the HUD Budget, maintaining and improving
been recognized by the Society of Professional the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, energy
Journalists and Cleveland Press Club. Melissa efficiency investments, housing finance reform,
holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from and fair housing. She represents the Trust before
Kent State University. At AASC, she tracks public congressional staff, federal officials, and other
policies that impact members, advocates for housing advocates and stakeholders. Ms. Lurie
positive policy outcomes, provides news updates Hoffman facilitates the national Preservation
and educates members on service coordination Working Group, a coalition of over 40 nonprofit
standards and practices. organizations dedicated to the preservation of
affordable rental housing. She leads the Trust’s
GREG HETTRICK “Where Will We Live?” campaign, a special effort
Greg Hettrick leads the Federal Home Loan to elevate housing issues at the federal, state,
Bank of Dallas Community Investment team and local level by raising the voices of residents,
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–21developing new messaging, creating cross-sector and distribute information about hate/violence,
partnerships, and identifying new champions. promote educational activities that highlighted
Ms. Lurie Hoffman also co-directs federal ethnic and social diversity, and provide
policy engagement within Energy Efficiency for recommendations to reduce the incidences of
All, a multi-state initiative that works to make acts of hate/violence in the county. Melody earned
multifamily housing healthy and affordable her B.A. in Political Science at the University of
through energy and water efficiency. South Carolina.
Before joining the Trust, Ms. Lurie Hoffman
DAVID JACOBS
worked for the National Council of State
Housing Agencies (NCSHA) for nine years, Dr. David Jacobs is the Chief Scientist at the
where she analyzed and advocated for federal National Center for Healthy Housing. He also
multifamily housing policy issues on behalf of serves as Director of the US Collaborating
the nation’s state Housing Finance Agencies Center for Research and Training on Housing
(HFAs). NCSHA is the leading national nonprofit Related Disease and Injury for the World Health
organization created by state HFAs to coordinate Organization/Pan American Health Organization,
and leverage their federal advocacy efforts an adjunct associate professor at the University of
for affordable housing. Ms. Lurie Hoffman led Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, and a
NCSHA’s legislative campaign to advocate for faculty associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
congressional authorization of Ginnie Mae School of Public Health. He is one of the nation’s
securitization within the FHA-HFA Risk-Sharing foremost authorities on childhood lead poisoning
program. Ms. Lurie Hoffman has been engaged prevention and was principal author of the
on the HUD budget, housing finance reform, President’s Task Force Report on the subject in
HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), 2000, and the Healthy Homes Report to Congress
and FHA and USDA multifamily programs. She in 1999. He has testified before Congress and
also promoted a primary role for state agencies other legislative bodies and has many peer-
in the Section 8 Performance-Based Contract reviewed publications. Dr. Jacobs is the former
Administration (PBCA) program with HUD and director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control
Congress. and Healthy Homes, where he was responsible
for program evaluations, grants, contracts, public
Ms. Lurie Hoffman holds a Master’s in Public
education, enforcement, regulation, and policy
Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy
related to lead and healthy homes. His current
School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts
work includes research on asthma, international
degree in Political Science from Vassar College.
healthy housing guidelines, lead poisoning
prevention, and green sustainable building
MELODY IMOH
design. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and
Melody Imoh joined NHRC as its Policy and has degrees in political science, environmental
Program Director in 2018, bringing several years health, technology and science policy, and a
of policy and legislative experience specialized in doctorate in environmental engineering.
poverty, economic mobility and social inclusion.
Prior to her role at NHRC, Melody has served KIMBERLY JOHNSON
as legislative staff on the state and local levels,
Kimberly Johnson is a policy analyst at the
and previously supported national and local
National Low Income Housing Coalition, and
programs and advocacy initiatives in Washington,
is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and
DC for disadvantaged Americans, including
advocating for federal policy and regulatory
communities of color. She was previously
activities related to NLIHC’s policy priorities.
appointed to serve as a voting member on
Her work at the Coalition focuses on housing
the Montgomery County Committee on Hate/
protections in the “Violence Against Women
Violence in Montgomery County, MD, to develop
Act,” criminal justice reform, and evictions.
AP–22 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEBefore joining NLIHC in 2019, Kimberly earned coalitions to promote greater economic mobility
her master’s degree in public policy from by tackling concentrated poverty and segregation
George Washington University. During her through housing policy. Prior to Opportunity
graduate program, she interned with Stewards Dallas, Mike was the chief of transformation and
of Affordable Housing for the Future and with innovation in the Dallas school system, where
the Senate Minority Health Committee. She also he led the development and execution of the
held a fellowship with the National Network to district’s Public School Choice initiative focused
End Domestic Violence. Before graduate school, on socioeconomic school integration. Prior to
Kimberly resided in Harrisonburg, VA, working as his career in education and housing, he served
an advocate for survivors of sexual and domestic in the U.S. Air Force, where he was the chief
violence. In 2014, she served on an advisory of intelligence for an F-15E fighter squadron
committee to the Obama Administration’s White while it was deployed to Afghanistan. He holds
House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Duke
Assault. She received her B.S. in Psychology University, and Harvard University.
and M.A. in Psychological Sciences from James
Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. MARK KUDLOWITZ
Mark Kudlowitz is a Federal Policy Director at
LAUREN BANKS KILLELEA the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Lauren Banks Killelea is the Director of Policy and At LISC, Mark advocates for federal policies
Advocacy at the National AIDS Housing Coalition. which support multiple LISC national programs,
She leads the National AIDS Housing Coalition’s including: affordable housing, rural development,
federal policy and advocacy work focusing on and transit-oriented development. Before LISC,
the Housing Opportunities for Persons with Mark worked as the Policy Director of the U.S.
AIDS (HOPWA) program and other housing and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s
healthcare initiatives. Lauren began working on Office of Multifamily Housing Programs and also
housing issues with the homeless community worked for over seven years at the Community
on the Boston Common and subsequently spent Development Financial Institutions Fund at the
time organizing around economic justice issues U.S. Department of the Treasury. Mark managed
in Alabama and serving as Executive Director for affordable housing and community development
a youth-based community service organization. programs at the District of Columbia’s
Prior she was the Director of Policy and Advocacy Department of Housing and Community
for AIDS Alabama, working on federal, state, Development and held multiple positions at the
and local legislation, implementation of the Housing Assistance Council, a national rural
Affordable Care Act, and advocacy around affordable housing organization. Mark earned
HOPWA modernization. She also currently serves his B.A. from the University of Florida and M.S.W.
as the co-chair of the Structural Interventions from the University of Michigan.
Working Group of the Federal AIDS Policy
Partnership. She obtained her B.S. from the JOSEPH LINDSTROM
University of Alabama and her MFA from Joseph Lindstrom serves as Director for Field
Vermont College of Fine Arts. Organizing with the National Low Income
Housing Coalition (NLIHC). Joseph joined NLIHC
MIKE KOPROWSKI in 2000 while organizing Wisconsin advocates
Mike is the National Campaign Director of the in support of the National Housing Trust Fund
Opportunity Starts at Home campaign with the Campaign. He led campaigns in Madison, WI,
National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). on issues such as the local minimum wage,
Mike comes to NLIHC from Dallas, TX where he funding for homeless services, and eliminating
worked as the executive director of Opportunity housing discrimination against Housing Choice
Dallas, an organization focused on building local Voucher recipients. In addition to his advocacy
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–23and campaign work, Joseph has also worked joining the Alliance in 2001, Sharon was a direct
in various direct service capacities, including practitioner in a Richmond, Virginia, community-
as a homeless outreach coordinator, tenant’s based service center for people experiencing
rights counselor, and workforce development homelessness. She has experience providing and
professional. Joseph received his bachelor’s supervising the delivery of social work services
degree from the University of Wisconsin with to families in service-enriched subsidized
majors in political science and religious studies. housing development for low-income families.
Sharon was the 1999 National Association of
ELIZABETH LOWER-BASCH Social Workers/Council on Social Work Education
Elizabeth Lower-Basch serves as Director of the Congressional Fellow and served in Senator
Income and Work Supports team at the Center for Paul D. Wellstone’s office, where she focused
Law and Social Policy (CLASP). Her expertise is on welfare and housing issues. Sharon holds an
federal and state programs that help low-income M.S.W and a PhD in Social Work and Social Policy
people meet their basic needs, including cash from Virginia Commonwealth University.
assistance under TANF, SNAP, Medicaid and
refundable tax credits. Prior to coming to CLASP,
MONICA MCLAUGHLIN
from 1996 to 2006, Ms. Lower-Basch worked for Monica McLaughlin is the Director of Public
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning Policy at the National Network to End Do-
and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health mestic Violence (NNEDV), where she works
and Human Services (HHS). Ms. Lower-Basch to improve federal legislation and increase
received a Master of Public Policy degree from resources to address and prevent domestic
the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard violence. She leads and co-chairs various
University. national coalitions, educates Congress, im-
plements grassroots strategies, and engages
KEVIN MARTONE various government agencies to ensure that
Kevin Martone, LSW is Executive Director for the addressing domestic violence is a national
Technical Assistance Collaborative, a national priority. Monica has led national appropria-
consulting organization in Boston. He also tions efforts to secure record federal invest-
serves on the boards of the National Association ments in programs that address domestic
of Rural Mental Health and the Massachusetts violence and sexual assault. Monica also
Association for Mental Health. Previously, he directs NNEDV’s housing policy work with
served as mental health commissioner for New achievements such as: leading successful
Jersey, president for the National Association efforts to secure life-saving housing protec-
of State Mental Health Program Directors and tions in the “Violence Against Women Act of
has been CEO for a supportive housing agency. 2013”; advocating for domestic violence sur-
Kevin is a national expert in mental health policy, vivors’ access to housing and homelessness
administration, systems design and financing resources in the “McKinney-Vento Reautho-
and focuses much of his work at the intersection rization Act of 2009”; and drafting housing
of behavioral health, community integration, protections for immigrant survivors in the
homelessness and affordable housing. Senate-passed bill, S. 744. Building on her
housing policy work, Monica leads NNEDV’s
SHARON MCDONALD Collaborative Approaches to Housing for Sur-
Sharon McDonald is the Senior Fellow for
vivors, a multi-agency technical assistance
consortium designed to improve survivors’
Families and Children at the National Alliance
access to safe, affordable housing.
to End Homelessness, where her primary focus
is on policy and program strategies to prevent
and end family and child homelessness. Before
AP–24 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEMINDY MITCHELL NOAH PATTON
Mindy Mitchell is a Senior Technical Assistance Noah Patton serves as a Housing Policy Analyst
Specialist at the National Alliance to End with the National Low Income Housing Coalition
Homelessness. In this role, she develops and (NLIHC). Before joining NLIHC, Noah worked
delivers training and technical assistance on best at the Homeless Persons Representation
practices to end homelessness in communities. Project, Inc. (HPRP), helping to advocate for
Mindy previously led the program and policy policies to expand public benefit programs and
work of the Alliance as it relates to adults age 18 protecting Housing Choice Voucher holders.
and over who do not have children with them, After working as a campaign and state house
including young adults, veterans, and people staffer in Maryland, Noah received a JD from
experiencing crisis, episodic, and chronic the University of Baltimore School of Law. While
homelessness. Before joining the Alliance, Mindy in law school, Noah was heavily involved in
worked as a case manager for homeless families coordinating Legal Observers of the National
in Mobile, AL. That work with homeless families Lawyers Guild to protect the legal rights of
inspired her to go to law school in the hopes Baltimore-area political protestors and served
of one day working to end homelessness at a as a Kellogg’s Law Fellow at the NAACP Office of
more structural level. After law school, Mindy the General Counsel working on transit equity
completed a Legislative Fellowship with the and educational policy. Noah received his B.A.
New York State Senate, focusing primarily on in Political Science from McDaniel College in
affordable housing and emergency mortgage Westminster, MD. He has been a member of the
assistance legislation. Mindy received her Maryland bar since 2018.
sociological education at the University of South
Alabama and her legal education at CUNY School STEPHANIE REYES
of Law. Stephanie Reyes is the State & Local Policy
Manager for Grounded Solutions Network,
KATHRYN MONET where she, he supports municipalities and
Kathryn is the Chief Executive Officer of the community organizations across the country
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans in implementing effective affordable housing
(NCHV). In this role, she focuses on executing policy. Stephanie has over 10 years of experience
NCHV’s strategic policy and technical assistance in policy research, program design and advocacy
agenda and expanding NCHV’s strategic in the housing and environmental fields. Prior
partnerships to more effectively end veteran to joining Grounded Solutions, Stephanie held
homelessness. Kathryn has spent nearly a multiple roles at Greenbelt Alliance, where
decade in the public and nonprofit sectors she led the organization’s efforts to ensure
working to address housing instability and that San Francisco Bay Area jurisdictions
homelessness among veterans. Prior to joining provide sufficient homes at all income levels
NCHV, she was with the National Alliance to in sustainable locations. Before that, she held
End Homelessness focusing on the promotion positions in communications and advocacy at
of data-driven, evidence-based interventions HomeFirst, an affordable housing and homeless
to end homelessness, particularly among services provider in Santa Clara County,
veterans. Kathryn also was involved in veteran California. Stephanie received her BS from
homelessness in a legislative capacity during Brown University.
her time at the Senate Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. KATHLEEN ROMIG
Kathleen Romig is a Senior Policy Analyst at
the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
She works on Social Security, Supplemental
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–25Security Income, and other budget issues. Montgomery County, Maryland, a multifaceted
Romig previously worked at the Social Security housing provider, developer and lender. Earlier
Administration, Social Security Advisory Board, in his career, he worked as a legislative assistant
and Congressional Research Service. She in the U.S. Senate and as a program analyst
began her career as a Presidential Management with the Federal Housing Finance Board,
Fellow, during which time she completed an working to expand the lending programs of the
assignment at the Office of Management and Federal Home Loan Banks, including loans for
Budget. Ms. Romig has a Master’s in Social Policy manufactured housing. He also was project
from University College Cork, Ireland, where manager for the Housing Development Institute,
she was a George J. Mitchell Scholar, and a B.A. the housing development arm of Catholic
from Michigan State University’s James Madison Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Doug
College. served for five years on the Montgomery County
Commission on Human Rights and currently on
JAIMIE A. ROSS the board of Places for People, a Montgomery
Jaimie Ross, Attorney at Law, is the President and County housing provider for formerly homeless
CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition. In 1991, persons with mental health issues. He is an
Ms. Ross initiated, and continues to facilitate, adjunct instructor at American University’s
the broad-based coalition that successfully School of Public Affairs and a graduate student
advocated the passage of the William E. Sadowski advisor and instructor at Georgetown’s School of
Affordable Housing Act, creating a dedicated Continuing Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts
revenue source for affordable housing in Florida. from Fordham University and a Master of Public
Her work includes all forms of legislative and Affairs from New York University.
administrative advocacy and education related
to the planning and financing of affordable
SARAH SAADIAN
housing. She is the author of “Creating Inclusive Sarah serves as Vice President of Public
Communities in Florida: a Guidebook for Local Policy with the National Low Income Housing
Elected Officials and Staff on Avoiding and Coalition (NLIHC). Sarah oversees NLIHC’s broad
Overcoming the NIMBY Syndrome” and speaks congressional portfolio. Sarah previously worked
nationally on avoiding and overcoming NIMBY. with Enterprise Community Partners as a Senior
She serves on the Board of Grounded Solutions Analyst, where she focused on appropriations
Network, a national nonprofit that promotes for federal housing and community development
inclusionary housing policies. Ms. Ross is the programs. Prior to Enterprise, Sarah served as
founder of the Florida Community Land Trust Policy Counsel at Rapoza Associates, where she
Institute, past Chair of the Affordable Housing worked largely on rural development issues.
Committee of the Real Property Probate & Trust While a Legislative and Policy Analyst at the
Law Section of the Florida Bar, and a former National Community Reinvestment Coalition,
Fannie Mae Foundation James A. Johnson Sarah’s portfolio included expanding access
Community Fellow. to mortgage and small business credit. Sarah
graduated from the University of Connecticut
DOUG RYAN School of Law after receiving her bachelor’s
Doug Ryan is the Senior Fellow and Interim degree from the University of Virginia. She has
Director of Policy with Prosperity Now. Doug has also been a member of the Virginia State Bar
spent his entire career in the affordable housing since 2009.
field, with more than twenty years’ experience
working in federal and local housing programs.
GINA SCHAAK
Prior to joining Prosperity Now, Doug served Gina Schaak is senior associate for Housing
as Assistant Director of Federal Programs at Group at the Technical Assistance Collaborative
the Housing Opportunities Commission of (TAC). She has over fifteen years’ experience
AP–26 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEhelping nonprofit housing and service agencies and technical assistance on best practices on
to navigate federal, state, and local programs ending homelessness, including re-designing
in order to access and create more permanent emergency shelter, diversion, rapid rehousing,
supportive housing for the most vulnerable system performance measures, and redesigning
populations. In addition to being a skilled TA and building capacity for coordinated crisis
and training provider with extensive experience response systems. Immediately prior to joining
providing support and consultation to nonprofit the Alliance, Ms. Schulenberg served as the
homeless and housing organizations, Gina Staff Attorney/Project Manager for the Veterans
serves as TAC’s national policy researcher Legal Assistance Project at the Neighborhood
and public liaison. In this role, she tracks Legal Services Program in DC, where she
federal congressional activity related to provided legal services to veterans experiencing
relevant homeless and housing legislation and homelessness or at-risk of homelessness. From
disseminates information to the public. 2014 to 2016, Ms. Schulenberg served as the
Deputy Director, Federal Programs and as a Staff
BROOKE SCHIPPOREIT Attorney at HomeBase, The Center for Common
Brooke Schipporeit serves as a Housing Advocacy Concerns, a national nonprofit public interest
Organizer with the National Low Income Housing law firm dedicated to combating and ending
Coalition (NLIHC). Prior to joining NLIHC, Brooke homelessness. She holds a B.A. in Religious
spent years supporting state and local coalitions Studies from the University of Dayton, and a J.D.
in their efforts to achieve solutions to housing from Golden Gate University School of Law.
poverty. Specifically, she worked as an MSW
intern with the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania,
JOSH SILVER
informing and mobilizing coalition members Josh Silver has more than 25 years of experience
to advance equitable housing policy. Then she in the housing and community development field.
worked as Philadelphia’s regional housing He is a Senior Advisor at the National Community
coordinator for the Self-Determination Housing Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). He produces
Project of Pennsylvania, focusing on expanding white papers on the Community Reinvestment
affordable and accessible housing options for Act and fair lending policy and issues. He serves
people with disabilities and older adults. Prior as an expert and provides advice and resources
to beginning her career in affordable housing, internally and externally. He came back to NCRC
Brooke spent time working in direct services in after serving as a Development Manager engaged
Nebraska for both the Head Start program and in fundraising and research at Manna, Inc., a
a domestic violence shelter. Brooke earned her housing nonprofit developer and counseling
Master’s in Social Work from the University of agency serving the District of Columbia. He also
Pennsylvania and her Bachelor of Science in previously served as Vice President of Research
Social Work from Nebraska Wesleyan University. and Policy at NCRC for 19 years.
Prior to NCRC, Mr. Silver worked at the Urban
KRISTI SCHULENBERG
Institute for five years. Mr. Silver holds a master’s
Kristi Schulenberg is the Director of the Center degree in public affairs from the Lyndon Johnson
for Capacity Building, where she oversees School of Public Affairs at the University of
the Capacity Building team’s efforts to help Texas in Austin and earned a Bachelor’s Degree
communities implement solutions to end in Economics from Columbia University in New
homelessness by providing training, technical York City.
assistance, and tools to providers and public
agencies nationwide. Prior to her role as LISA SLOANE, M.P.A.
Director, Ms. Schulenberg served as a Senior
Lisa Sloane is senior policy advisor for
Technical Assistance Specialist at the Alliance,
Housing Group at the Technical Assistance
where she developed and delivered training
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–27Collaborative (TAC). She has over 30 years of federal financial regulatory agencies. Jorge also
experience working with federal, state, and local previously worked as a labor organizer at Service
governments as well as nonprofit agencies, to Employees International Union and community
address the supportive housing needs of people organizer with CRECEN/American Para Todos,
with disabilities and of individuals and families Houston, Texas. Jorge earned his B.A. in History
experiencing homelessness. At TAC, she manages and American Studies from Wesleyan University.
complex consulting projects for state and federal
government agencies, including technical LESLIE STRAUSS
assistance for the U.S. Department of Housing Leslie Strauss is senior policy analyst at the
and Urban Development. Lisa has worked with Housing Assistance Council (HAC). She began
the states of Virginia, Oregon, Louisiana, and working at HAC in 1991 as Research and
Maryland to develop and implement permanent Information Director and has also served as
supportive housing programs for people with HAC’s Communications Director. Currently she is
disabilities and people who are homeless. In responsible for a variety of policy and information
Massachusetts, she played a key role in the activities, including much of HAC’s work on rental
development of innovative cross-disability housing preservation. She has a law degree and
housing programs, including a housing locator practiced real estate law for several years before
system, a state housing bond fund, and a state joining HAC. She serves on the board of the
home modification loan program. She is an National Rural Housing Coalition.
expert in the area of fair housing.
ERIC TARS
JORGE ANDRES SOTO
Eric Tars currently serves as Legal Director with
Jorge Andres Soto is Associate Vice President of the National Law Center on Homelessness &
Public Policy and Advocacy with the National Fair Poverty. Before coming to the Law Center, Mr.
Housing Alliance (NFHA). Jorge Andres Soto is Tars was a Fellow with Global Rights’ U.S. Racial
responsible for advancing NFHA’s public policy Discrimination Program and consulted with
priorities and directing the organization’s federal Columbia University Law School’s Human Rights
and congressional advocacy. Through local and Institute and the U.S. Human Rights Network.
national coalition-building, Mr. Soto designs Mr. Tars currently serves on the Board of the U.S.
strategies to advocate for policies that help Human Rights Network, as an adjunct professor
protect individuals from housing discrimination, at Drexel University’s Kline School of Law, and
strengthen access to justice for victims of as a field supervisor for the Howard University
housing discrimination, and remove obstacles School of Social Work. Mr. Tars received his
to housing opportunity. He leads NFHA’s efforts J.D. as a Global Law Scholar at the Georgetown
on issues concerning the federal budget and University Law Center, his B.A. in Political
appropriations, housing and housing-related Science from Haverford College, and studied
legislation, and executive nominations. Mr. Soto international human rights at the Institute for
also staffs the Fair Housing Task Force of the European Studies, Vienna, and at the University
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human of Vienna.
Rights, which NFHA co-chairs with NAACP LDF.
Prior to NFHA, Jorge was at Relman, Dane & DANIEL THREET
Colfax PLLC where he worked as a civil rights Daniel Threet serves as a Research Analyst with
paralegal on the development and litigation the National Low Income Housing Coalition
of several housing, lending, and public (NLIHC). Prior to joining NLIHC, Daniel graduated
accommodations cases involving discrimination, from Georgetown University, where he earned
as well as on public policy matters concerning a Ph.D. in Philosophy. His research in that field
employment and contracting diversity in centered on political philosophy, distributive
AP–28 2021 ADVOCATES’ GUIDEjustice, and the demands of social equality. He RUTH ANNE WHITE
comes to NLIHC by way of the Mellon/ACLS Public
Fellowship, which places recent humanities Ruth White is one of the nation’s leading experts
and social science PhDs in public-service on the nexus between housing policy and child
organizations. Dan has an M.A. in Philosophy welfare. She is co-founder and Executive Director
from the University of Houston, an M.A. in of the National Center for Housing and Child
English from Pennsylvania State University, and a Welfare and former director of Housing and
B.A. in Philosophy and English from the College of Homelessness for the Child Welfare League of
Charleston. America (CWLA). At the Child Welfare League,
she co-edited the landmark issue of the League’s
ANTHONY WALTERS journal, Child Welfare, documenting the extent
to which children are needlessly held in foster
Anthony Walters is the Executive Director of
care because their parents lack decent housing.
the National American Indian Housing Council
Through White’s advocacy, over $100 million in
(NAIHC). Anthony has been with NAIHC since
new funding for the Family Unification Program
April of 2017, and prior to joining NAIHC served
has been made available for families and youth
as Staff Director and General Counsel of the U.S.
in child welfare since 2009. Prior to working
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. He also
at CWLA, White managed the front-door family
spent time at the Department of the Interior
shelter and redesigned the homeless coordinated
as a policy advisor to the Assistant Secretary
entry system in Columbus, OH, reducing shelter
Indian Affairs. Since 1974, NAIHC has provided
entries by over 60 percent. White is also certified
training and technical assistance to hundreds of
as an Assisted Housing Manger.
Native American Housing Authorities across the
National Low Income Housing Coalition 11–25 White has a Master of Science Degree in Social
country. NAIHC also serves as a primary advocate Administration from Case Western Reserve
for all tribal housing issues and initiatives, University and a Bachelor of Science degree in
working with Congress, federal agencies, Social Work from Ohio State University. She is
nonprofits and industry partners. currently a Furfey Scholar, doctoral candidate,
and professor of social work at the Catholic
OLIVIA WEIN University of America.
Olivia Wein is a staff attorney at the National
RENEE M. WILLIS
Consumer Law Center (NCLC) focusing on
policies and programs that protect low-income Renee Willis joined the National Low
consumers’ access to essential utility services, Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) in June
including water, energy, and telecom. She is 2015 as the new Vice President for Field and
co-author of the fifth edition of NCLC’s manual Communications. In this role, Renee leads all
“Access to Utility Service,” and co-author of “The of NLIHC’s field and communications efforts in
Rights of Utility Consumers.” She has advocated support of our mission, goals, and objectives.
for a strong Low Income Home Energy Assistance Renee brings more than 15 years of experience
Program for more than 18 years. Ms. Wein serves in affordable housing, including establishing
on the Federal Communication Commission’s and leading successful community and region-
Consumer Advisory Committee, and the wide initiatives. Renee has extensive experience
Board of Directors for the Universal Services in strategic planning, financial management,
Administrative Company. She was an Economic marketing, organizational development, staff
Justice Fellow at Consumers Union prior to her management, and program operations. Renee
work at NCLC. served as Housing Services Chief with Arlington
County, VA, from 2008 to 2015. Prior to her work
in Arlington, she served as the Administrator
of the Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs for
NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION AP–29Montgomery County, MD, from 1999 to 2004, and overseeing the development and implementation
as an Advocate and Manager for the Public Justice of nationwide public housing policies, procedures
Center’s Tenant Advocacy Project in Baltimore, and guidelines. She also worked to advance
MD, from 1993 to 1999. Renee earned dual affordable housing policies with Oxfam America
Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Spanish and the Massachusetts Coalition for the
from the University of Maryland. She also holds Homeless and served for 3 years as a community
a Certificate in Public Management from George development Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia.
Washington University. Diane is frequently cited in media outlets,
including the Washington Post, The New York Times,
DIANE YENTEL Politico, Mother Jones, NPR and The Guardian. She
Diane is the President and CEO of the National serves on the Board of Directors of the National
Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a Housing Conference, Homes for America, and the
membership organization dedicated solely to Coalition on Human Needs. Diane has a Master’s
achieving socially just public policy that ensures in Social Work from the University of Texas at
people with the lowest incomes in the United Austin.
States have affordable and decent homes.
Diane is a veteran affordable housing policy
GREG ZAGORSKI
expert and advocate with nearly two decades Greg Zagorski is Senior Homeownership Policy
of work on affordable housing and community Specialist with the National Council of State
development issues. Before rejoining NLIHC Housing Agencies (NCSHA), focusing on issues
(where she previously worked as a policy analyst), related to affordable homeownership and
Diane was Vice President of Public Policy and housing finance. Prior to joining NCSHA in 2012,
Government Affairs at Enterprise Community Greg worked as a legislative assistant for Senator
Partners, where she led federal, state and local Joe Lieberman (I-CT), advising the Senator on
policy, research and advocacy programs. Prior to housing and other economic issues. He holds
Enterprise, Diane was the director of the Public a B.A. in Political Science and History from the
Housing Management and Occupancy Division University of Connecticut and a master’s degree
at the US Department of Housing and Urban from George Washington University.
Development (HUD), where she managed a team
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