DHN Hires First Executive Director
11/30/2007
New Organization Focused on Housing for People with Disabilities in Ohio Names First Executive Director
Disability Housing Network, a member-based organization, is the first of its kind in the nation to provide needed support for non-profit housing corporations that provide housing for people with disabilities in Ohio
COLUMBUS, OHIO (November 30, 2007) – Steven D. Farrell, former Director of Public Policy for United Way of Central Ohio, has been named Executive Director of the Disability Housing Network (DHN), a nonprofit professional service organization based in Cleveland.
Mr. Farrell graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He has a Bachelor of Philosophy from St. John’s Seminary and completed a Master of Public Policy with a Nonprofit Sector Studies Concentration at Georgetown Public Policy Institute in Washington, DC. Farrell served in the Program Development Department of the Catholic Charitable Bureau of Archdiocese of Boston before becoming Research Manager with City Year National.
Since 2003, Mr. Farrell has worked for United Way of Central Ohio. As the Assistant Director of Community Impact, he served as Vice Chair of Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation’s Youth Council, which was responsible for administering $4 million in grants annually. He provided technical assistance to community-based nonprofits receiving United Way investments. He co-staffed the Education Vision Council of community volunteers responsible for developing policies guiding United Way investments in after-school programs and early child care and education. Farrell also co-staffed the allocation process of $12 million worth of programming to education-related endeavors. Most recently, Mr. Farrell worked as the Director of Public Policy at United Way of Central Ohio where he directed the development of United Way’s first-ever public policy agenda.
“Steve’s proven leadership in the nonprofit sector and his service on public policy committees of Ohio United Way, AccessHealth Columbus, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission make him the ideal person for this executive position with DHN,” says Steve McPeake, Founder of DHN & President of North Coast Community Homes. “Confident in our choice, we believe Steve will significantly strengthen our member base and help to expand the collective voice for advocacy needed to ensure more safe and affordable housing options for people with disabilities in Ohio.”
DHN is the first of its kind in the nation to provide support and value-added tools for local housing corporations in their efforts to provide safe, affordable housing for persons with disabilities. Established in 2005, DHN brings together housing development organizations throughout Ohio for the express purpose of improving and maintaining the highest levels of safety and quality that are possible in the homes of those with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD). The DHN membership believes that, by sharing work-related experience, disability housing standards and practices in Ohio can be improved. There is a growing need for housing options for people with disabilities, and political leaders are recognizing that this housing is an underserved issue. DHN is working to strengthen the collective voice and to raise additional support for initiatives that serve this rapidly growing segment of the population.
DHN has 29 housing corporations that represent 29 counties across Ohio and 7 County Boards of MR/DD. To date, all start-up funds were raised through grants, memberships, events, and sponsorships.
For more information on how to become a member of DHN or to learn how your organization can get involved, please visit www.disabilityhousingnetwork.org or email stevefarrell@disabilityhousingnetwork.org.
Press Contact:
Andie Bernard
The PR Group
859.392.3134
abernard@primpact.com
Contact:
Steve McPeake
North Coast Community Homes
President
216.662.1880
smcpeake@ncch.org
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