California Interagency Council on Homelessness Announces Appointment of 31 Members to Advisory Committee

The following is a news release from Cal ICH (Click Here to View Their Site):

Thirty-one community members have been appointed to the California Interagency Council on Homelessness’ (Cal ICH) Advisory Committee by the council’s co-chairs, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez and California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

“This Advisory Committee brings together many of the most thoughtful and dedicated individuals working to prevent and end homelessness in California today,” said Secretary Castro Ramírez. “These experts reflect the racial and gender diversity of our state, including direct lived experience, local government, academia, service providers and advocacy organizations that will greatly help inform the council’s work.”

“Our work is most effective when informed by the diverse voices and perspectives of Californians,” said Secretary Ghaly. “We are grateful to the members of this inaugural Advisory Council for bringing their skills and expertise to support Cal ICH in advancing our collective work to end homelessness.” 

Cal ICH oversees the implementation of “Housing First” policies, guidelines, and regulations within a housing and health framework to reduce the prevalence and duration of homelessness in California. In March 2021, Cal ICH created the state’s first Action Plan for Preventing and Ending Homelessness in California.

The Advisory Committee was created as part of statutory additions established by AB 1220 in 2021, which required that the Advisory Committee include representatives with specific experience or expertise in homelessness including:

·       A survivor of gender-based violence who formerly experienced homelessness

·       Representatives of local agencies or organizations that participate in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Program

·       Stakeholders with expertise in solutions to homelessness and best practices from other states

·       Representatives of committees on African Americans, youth, and survivors of gender-based violence

·       At least one current or formerly homeless person who lives in California, and

·       At least current or formerly homeless youth who lives in California.

The committee membership includes multiple members with lived experience in homelessness, including lived experience as youth.

Committee members are also geographically diverse, with 12 members from Southern California, nine members from Northern California, two from Central California, and seven who have statewide affiliations.

The Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting on Monday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to noon on Zoom. This inaugural meeting will serve as a welcome orientation of the new Advisory Committee members. Advisory Committee members will also participate in the November 10 Cal ICH meeting.

Photos and bios of all the committee members are available here.

Following is a list of members:

·       Ludmilla Bade -- Homelessness Advocate

·       Al Ballesteros -- President and CEO, JWCH Institute

·       Samantha Batko -- Principal Research Associate, Urban Institute

·       Doug Bond -- President and CEO, Amity Foundation

·       Carolyn Coleman -- Executive Director, League of California Cities

·       Joe Colletti – CEO, Hub for Urban Initiatives

·       Charlene Dimas-Peinado – President and CEO, Wellnest Emotional Health & Wellness

·       Vitka Eisen – President & CEO, HealthRIGHT 360

·       Dora Gallo – President & CEO, A Community of Friends

·       Jennifer Hark Dietz – CEO, PATH

·       Eric Harris – Director of Public Policy, Disability Rights California

·       Charles Helget – Executive Director, California Association of Veteran Service Agencies

·       Janet Kelly – Executive Director, Sanctuary of Hope

·       Jody Ketcheside – Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Turning Point of Central California

·       Margot Kushel – Director, UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative,

·       Philip Mangano – President and CEO, American Roundtable to Abolish Homelessness

·       Chris Martin – Policy Director, Housing California

·       Moriah McGill – Housing Development Construction Manager, Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority

·       Luana Murphy – President and CEO, Exodus Recovery

·       Alisa Orduña – Executive Director, Florence Aliese Advancement Network

·       Sharon Rapport – Director of California State Policy, Corporation for Supportive Housing

·       Janey Rountree – Executive Director, California Policy Lab at UCLA

·       Emilio Salas – Executive Director, Los Angeles County Development Authority

·       Miguel Santana – CEO, Weingart Foundation

·       Doug Shoemaker – President, Mercy Housing

·       Sean Spear – President and CEO, Community HousingWorks

·       Reba Stevens – Homelessness Advocate

·       Megan Van Sant – Senior Program Manager, County of Mendocino

·       Alex Visotzky – Senior California Policy Fellow, National Alliance to End Homelessness

·       Jevon Wilkes – Executive Director, California Coalition for Youth

·       Roxanne Wilson – Monterey County Homelessness Services Director