Raised in Fridley, Jennifer Leimaile Ho, 53, has been working to end homelessness since 1999. First, as Executive Director of Hearth Connection, a Minnesota non-profit, managing a nationally-recognized demonstration project on supportive housing and long-term homelessness for single adults, youth and families in Ramsey and Blue Earth County. She oversaw its replication in 34 additional counties in partnership with the Fond du Lac, Bois Fort and Grand Portage Tribal Bands.
Before serving in her most recent post as the Senior Policy Advisor for Housing and Services at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama Administration, Jennifer served as deputy director at the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), shepherding the creation of Opening Doors, the nation’s first-ever comprehensive federal plan to prevent and end homelessness. Jennifer worked with First Lady Michelle Obama to launch the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness that resulted in reducing the number of veterans experiencing homelessness on any night by nearly half.
She has served on the Boards of Directors for West Side Community Health Services in St. Paul, and nationally for the Corporation for Supportive Housing and the Melville Charitable Trust. Jennifer received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Bryn Mawr College.
