In this week’s podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Ann Oliva, the CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Ann Oliva is a distinguished leader with a remarkable career in homelessness and housing policy. She shares her journey from her early days at HUD to leading NAEH, highlighting her evolution in perspective and approach towards ending homelessness. Ann discusses the significant challenges she faces in her role, including shifting from hard power to soft power, navigating complex relationships, and driving systemic change.

Listeners will gain insights into the critical need for affordable housing, the impact of systemic issues such as racial injustice, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities. Ann also reflects on her early experiences working at the community level, her transformative work post-Hurricane Katrina, and the profound lessons she learned along the way.

Key highlights of the episode include:

• Ann's transition to NAEH and the major shifts in her leadership approach
• The challenges of navigating federal policies and relationships
• The evolution of homelessness from her time at HUD to now
• The significant increase in homelessness and its underlying causes
• The role of soft power in transforming the response to the homelessness crisis

Ann's candid discussion about the complexities of the homelessness crisis, her strategic vision for NAEH, and her unwavering commitment to advocacy and action provide a comprehensive look at the multifaceted nature of homelessness. Whether you are an advocate, a service provider, or simply interested in the issue of homelessness, this conversation with Ann Oliva is sure to inspire and inform. Tune in to learn how one of the nation’s foremost experts is leading the fight to end homelessness and what we can all do to support this vital cause.
Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis

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Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change, and thoughtful dialogue around poverty and homelessness.