SCC Luncheon - Programs Actively Working to Help the Homeless

SCC Luncheon

How many households in Salem are on the waiting list for subsidized housing vouchers? Why are many homeless families in Salem turned away from shelter each month? How many students in Salem-Keizer Public Schools are known to be living without a home? Join The Salem City Club, Friday, April 7 at the Willamette Heritage Center for our luncheon and program, “Housing & School: Programs Actively Working to Help the Homeless.”

Come and hear from three local leaders who work each day to improve the homeless situation for families.  

 Andy Wilch became head of Salem Housing Authority in 2009. He is the lead on the redevelopment of Yaquina Hall into 50 low income housing units. Mr. Wilch’s background includes over 25 years of housing finance, development and organizational management experience. He previously worked as a Director of Housing, Interim Director of Economic Development, and Housing Development Finance Manager for the Portland Development Commission; as the Executive Director of the Pioneer Square Community Development Organization, Seattle; and, Senior Program Director for the Kitsap County (WA) Consolidated Housing Authority. Over his career he has provided financing and/or developed 15,000 units of affordable housing.

 Kim Lemman has served as the Executive Director of the St. Francis Shelter for families since 2011. Since that time, the program had grown from a short-term shelter to a comprehensive transitional housing program with professional case management services, which assists about 50 families a year in returning to self-sufficiency.  Kim also serves as the vice chair for the City of Salem Housing and Urban Development Advisory Commission and serves on the Salem Housing Advisory Commission.  

 Melissa Wisner is  Coordinator of the STEP program of Salem-Keizer Public Schools. In this role she supports several federal programs including Title IA, Title ID, Title VII, Title X and Private Schools.  Previously, she taught at the Elementary and Middle School level for seven years and then served for three years as a teaching principal at a private K-12 school for students who needed more intensive behavioral support than the public schools could provide.  Following that, Ms. Wisner was Assistant Principal for two and a half years and Elementary Principal for 14 years.