Alicia Christian, Executive Director 

Ms. Christian has been the lead administrator of Dignity Housing since its inception in 1988.  She advised homeless activists in the founding of Dignity Housing and is the primary architect of the Life Skills Development Component (Social Services Design).  She has three decades of experience in social progam planning, public policy analysis, community organizing and advocacy, and grantsmanship.  She has diverse experience in social service planning and promoting affordable housing.  Ms. Christian developed proposals and plans that have garnered more than $100 million for grassroots organizations, social service agencies, and local government service agencies throughout the nation.  She previously served as Senior Public Policy Analyst and Grants Writer for the Mental Healthe Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania; Project Director with the Center for Community Change; and Director of Research for the Congressional Black Caucus.  She has a Bachelor's degree with dual majors in Urban Planning and Economics from Antioch College.  She has completed  numerous fellowships, including a study of social service delivery systems in Finland (American Council on International Leadership Fellow).

Ms. Christian is also active in a range of committees and collaborations impacting both housing policy and resources for housing in our city.  These include:  The Implementation Committee for The Blueprint to End HOmelessness in Philadelphia;  the Strategic Planning Committee for the Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) McKinney Submissions; the Board of Directors at PADC (Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations; and the Philadelphia Foundation's Program and Distribution Committee.  Alicia is also active in civic affairs of the West Oak Lane and Mt. Airy communities.