The Housing Coalition of Cumberland County is a collaborative of passionate volunteers, those with lived experience, and housing and social services professionals in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. We bring the best leaders in the county together from healthcare, local governments, banks, foundations, social services, affordable housing, community action groups, homeless shelters, and more.
With a shared goal of housing for all, we strive to remove barriers, bridge gaps, and advocate for housing that meets the needs for all Cumberland County residents.
Connect With Us
– Jason Alexander, Capacity for Change
– Janet Anderson, Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation
– Pastor Matthew Best, Christ Lutheran Church
– Pastor Ryan Brown, New Life Community
– Jean Foschi, Cumberland County Commissioner
– Dr. Colleen Friend, Carlisle Area School District
– Jim George, Penn State Health
– Mary Kuna, Cumberland County Housing Authority
– Tina L. Nixon, UPMC Central PA
– Kirk Stoner, Cumberland County Planning Department
– Annie Strite, Cumberland and Perry Counties’ MH.IDD
– Carol Thornton, Partnership for Better Health
Belinda has held roles in PA state government with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) and the Department of Human Services (DHS), as well as with 501c3 organizations such as The Bair Foundation and The Baptist Resource Network. She has served on several roundtables and sub-committees at the state level working to address child welfare policy and practice. Some career highlights include:
– 7 years working with state, local, and federal partners, with a focus on process improvement, data-driven approaches, and strategic planning.
– 6 years working with pastors and church planters connecting them to tools and resources to aid in community engagement and growth.
– 20+ years working alongside vulnerable populations in either a volunteer or professional capacity.
In the Fall of 2016, the Partnership for Better Health hosted leaders from area housing and homeless service organizations for an open discussion about local challenges and opportunities related to accessing affordable/workforce housing. During this same time period, local organizations held a forum at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law to examine homelessness, and a multi-county forum held in Harrisburg explored emerging solutions to interlocking housing and health issues.
In 2017, the Partnership for Better Health formed a Leadership Advisory Council on Affordable Housing. Together, the council created a shared Roadmap for Action to reduce homelessness and increase access to affordable housing in our region. The roadmap featured four main goals: 1) increase the coordination of services across housing providers; 2) engage landlords and prevent evictions; 3) increase access to employment and job training opportunities; and 4) strengthen the skills and capacities of nonprofit organizations that deliver housing and shelter services.
In 2019, the Partnership for Better Health proposed a three-year plan for funding and strategic support of local housing efforts. A new Advisory Council was formed and the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (CCHRA) became the backbone organization for this collective impact effort. CCHRA already had a Local Housing Options Team, comprised of housing providers and other stakeholders, this group was re-branded as “Community Partners for Change” to function as a general membership arm of the Advisory Council and to serve as a broad guide to a county-wide housing effort.
In 2021, a new Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 was developed.
In fall 2022, in alignment with the Strategic Plan, the backbone agency transitioned from CCHRA to New Life Community.
In February 2023, a new manager was hired under the title of Housing Systems Coordinator.
In February 2024, Community Partners for Change rebranded to the Housing Coalition of Cumberland County.
Today, we work to educate, advocate, and act on new opportunities to create, sustain, and promote affordable housing for all.
Housing Coalition of Cumberland County © 2024