Louisville, KY (Sept 22, 2020) – Cathy Kuhn, PhD, a longtime leader in housing and human services in various states across the country, has been named Executive Director of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition (MHC), an organization with a 30 year history of strengthening, uniting and mobilizing resources to ensure fair, accessible and affordable housing for everyone in the Louisville region. Kuhn follows MHC’s long-term Executive Director, Cathy Hinko, who is retiring after a distinguished career committed to housing justice.
Under Hinko’s leadership, the Metropolitan Housing Coalition built on its strengths, created new partnerships and was a key force in the development of research, policies and programs designed to increase the supply and quality of affordable housing throughout the region. MHC anticipates that Kuhn will build on these achievements and help the organization expand its impact in the pursuit of fair, accessible and affordable housing for all residents in the Louisville area. Kuhn will assume her responsibilities as Executive Director of MHC on October 5th.
MHC is engaged in redefining issues of fair and affordable housing to reflect a new community awareness and commitment to equity. As part of that effort, MHC has elevated Anthony P. Curtis to the position of Development and Communications Director, emphasizing the outreach. Along with rebranding and updating the website, MHC will be asking the community to respond to a survey on messaging. MHC is also forming an Associate’s Board for people in the earlier stages of their career who are interested in developing into leadership. “This is an historic time to move towards equity. We are offering new ways for all of you to participate”, said Stacy Deck, Chair of MHC’s Board of Directors.
“After a very thorough search, the Board is excited to welcome Cathy Kuhn to lead the Metropolitan Housing Coalition into the future,” Deck added. “Cathy’s broad experience and lifelong dedication to fair and affordable housing makes her a perfect fit for MHC and its mission of service in the community.”
Kuhn holds a Master’s degree in Resource Development and a Doctorate degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from Michigan State University. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the nonprofit sector, specifically focused on issues related homelessness and housing instability and has led a variety of applied research projects aimed at documenting impacts of local, state and federal housing policy on low income residents and providing policy solutions to improve quality of life for all citizens.
“Cathy’s experience will help push MHC to the next level and I am thrilled that she is bringing her expertise, her vision and her energy to MHC,” says Cathy Hinko, outgoing Director. “When you can attract someone with extensive qualifications like Cathy, it speeds the transition to new leadership and opens immediate opportunities for the future. I welcome Cathy with enthusiasm and great optimism for the future.”
Having recently moved to Louisville from New Hampshire, Kuhn brings 14 years of experience serving as Chief Strategy Officer for a large affordable housing organization, as well as Director of the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness. Before that, Kuhn worked with the Community and Economic Development Program at Michigan State University designing and implementing a number of advocacy and leadership training programs for residents in public housing communities. Kuhn also served two years in the United States Peace Corps working with students and teachers in elementary schools in rural communities in Panama.
“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Metropolitan Housing Coalition into the future. At no time in our country’s history has the critical role that fair and affordable housing plays in the health and wellbeing of all community members been more transparent and understood. MHC is poised to build on this tremendous momentum and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the effort to create communities in which all citizens have access to safe rental housing and meaningful homeownership opportunities,” Kuhn said.
To learn more about the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, visit: www.metropolitanhousing.org.
Media contact:
Stacy Deck, PhD MSSW
Chair, Board of Directors
Email: sdeck@spalding.edu
Phone: (502) 873-4477
