The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare bridges the gap between affordable housing and child welfare in order to improve the lives of America's most economically disadvantaged youth and families. NCHCW is dedicated to matching permanent housing resources with child welfare and community-based supportive services in order to ensure that no child lingers needlessly in foster care as a consequence of their family's inability to provide safe, decent, affordable housing. NCHCW is equally committed to ensuring that each young person who faces adulthood without the support of a permanent family has a solid plan for stable housing and services to support their successful transition to adulthood.

• Developed and advanced policies and strategies to increase the availability of affordable housing and homeless services.• Educated members of Congress about the importance of affordable housing and sound community development policies.• Trained Catholic Charities agencies and other affordable housing developers around the country to better understand federal regulations and funding streams available for housing for the elderly, disabled, veterans, low-income families, and youth aging out of foster care. Helped to establish the new, permanent housing version of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (previously it was a transitional housing program).*Successfully lobbied for re-establishment of FUP funding of $20 million in new vouchers.

• Expanded the visibility of CWLA’s housing initiatives as a presenter in conferences and forums across the country, by contributing articles and information to several national publications, and by actively participating in partnerships with major affordable housing and child advocacy organizations. • Influenced public policy on the local, state, and federal level by educating CWLA members, legislators, and advocates.• Coordinated national and regional conferences, site visits, advisory committees and wrote newsletter for the Family Unification Program (FUP). • Provided training and technical assistance to public housing authorities and child welfare agencies in delivering services to families and children in HOPE VI, FUP, Section 8 and the child welfare system.• Developed cross-training curriculum to improve the relationships of front line child protective services and homeless services workers.• Edited a special issue of Child Welfare on the intersection of housing and the child welfare system as well as Hope VI: Assisting Public Housing Authorities in Supporting Families