Susy Thielen is the part time Heading for Home coordinator who can manages and supports the Coalition. She is available for public presentations to communities, planning boards, zoning boards, developer groups etc.
The following individuals are current members of the Board. Organizational affiliiations are for identification purposes only.
Officers:
Charles Michal, Chair
Principal, Weller & Michal Architects Inc.
Jeff Porter, Vice-Chair
Assistant Director, Southwest Region Planning Commission
Keith Thibault, Secretary
Development Director, Southwestern Community Services
Directors:
Curt Hiebert, Executive Director, Keene Housing Authority
Ellen Avery, Community Liaison, Monadnock United Way
Frank Werbinski, Vice President, Cheshire Medical Center
Gordon Leversee, Dean of Science, Keene State College
Steve Pro, Associate Engineer, Stevens & Associates
Chris Sullivan, System Architect, Markem Corporation
Susan Newcomer, Worforce Development Coordinator, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce
A 14 member Board of Directors is proposed to oversee the activities and set policy for the Heading for Home Coalition. In addition, there will be a committee structure overseeing areas such as fund-raising, guidelines, community outreach, stewardship of land, legislative and policy issues.
Currently Heading for Home is not a tax-exempt organization but there are plans to apply for tax exempt status once the Board of Directors and Committee structure has solidified.
Heading for Home is a separate organization for which the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce will provide fiscal agency. This means that, for a nominal fee, the Chamber will provide administrative support, i.e. accounts payable and receivable, payroll and possibly space for staffing
Heading for Home is a voluntary organization funded by donations of its members. The commitment will be for three years and is based on the number of employees employed by each company. Heading for Home plans to establish a set of goals and objectives by which we can measure progress which will give us a clear understanding of what to do after three years.
Workforce housing applies to all income levels within our workforce. A household’s total housing costs, according to federal guidelines, should be no more than 30 % of the household’s income. By this standard, a significant number of Monadnock Region residents cannot affort to lease an apartment or purchase a home. Our housing market has lagged in the production of new units and, therefore, existing units have increased in price/cost so significantly that a large number of our workforce cannot afford to live in them.
The members of Heading for Home are Monadnock Region business and individuals who believe that there needs to be a concerted effort in addressing the affordable workforce housing issues in our region.
Businesses and Organizations who have pledged support to Heading for Home include: Cheshire Housing Trust, Cheshire Medical Center, Countrywide Home Loans, Keene Housing Authority, Masiello Insurance Agency Inc., Monadnock Collaborative/Pilot Health, Panel Pros, Inc., SVE Associates, Weller & Michal Architects Inc.
Individuals who have pledged support to Heading for Home include: Curtis Hiebert, Keith Thibault and Daniel Henderson.