A letter from Connie Tempel, Chief Operating Officer
We wanted to let you know that after thirteen years with CSH, Jonathan Hunter has decided to transition into part-time consulting work, effective February 7, 2014. Jonathan has been a highly valued member of the senior leadership team during his tenure. Jonathan joined CSH in November 2000 and served four years as Director of the CSH California program and for the last six years as Western Region Managing Director. In that role he has provided leadership for CSH in the western United States, coordinating the work of staff deployed in Texas, Arizona and California. Jonathan announced that he will be working as an independent consultant, continuing to focus on the needs of vulnerable people.
During his tenure, he has made a tremendous impact on the organization and the supportive housing industry. Jonathan was instrumental in establishing the presence of CSH in Los Angeles and providing leadership for a growing staff that have supported the creation of more than 3,000 units of new supportive housing over the last nine years. He convened an ad hoc committee of public and private stakeholders that led to the creation of the Mental Health Services Act Housing Program, a $400 million effort that has produced more than 2,000 new units of supportive housing throughout the State of California. He led the Frequent Users of Health Services Initiative (FUHSI), a six-county demonstration pilot which connected frequent users of crisis care to housing and health care. Under his leadership CSH also significantly expanded its work in Texas and Arizona.
Jonathan was recognized by the Board of Housing California for his three years as President of that Board and was awarded the Tom McGuiness Community Leadership Award in 2011 by Housing Works and the 2013 William F. McKenna Award for leadership in affordable housing presented by LINC Housing.
In announcing his resignation, Jonathan said, “I will always be grateful for the time I have spent at CSH. I have been given the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable neighbors. I have also had the privilege of working with an incredibly talented and passionate group of colleagues. I am proud of what we have accomplished together. I know that in my new role I will continue to have opportunities to work alongside CSH as we share a commitment to finding real solutions to the needs of people facing multiple challenges related to homelessness, mental illness and substance use.”
Please join me and CSH as it wishes Jonathan well in his new venture. We will be immediately posting a job announcement for a new Managing Director focused on expanding our work throughout the Western Region and hope that you will help us find a worthy candidate to fill Jonathan’s shoes.