We are pleased to announce that Keiren Havens has joined the Homeless Persons Representation Project as our Interim Executive Director. With 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a strong dedication to advancing housing and economic justice, Keiren’s expertise will be invaluable during this important time for our organization.
"I am honored to join the exceptional team of advocates and attorneys at HPRP," said Keiren. "Every day, we help families fight unjust eviction, help veterans gain access to benefits, and advocate alongside youth experiencing homelessness. HPRP is a force that clears away the obstacles so that our neighbors can live safe and secure lives."
Keiren just concluded 12 years as Chief Strategy Officer at Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) in Baltimore, Maryland. Throughout her tenure, she led the organization through programmatic growth and structural redesign. She is particularly proud of the staff partnerships that resulted in programs in race equity and inclusion, communications, compensation, training, and community-centered fundraising. Prior to HCH, Keiren served as Vice President of External Relations at Planned Parenthood of Maryland for eight years, where she expanded advocacy, education, and development programs and served as Chair of the National Planned Parenthood Development Officers Council.
Currently Keiren serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Human Resource Development Graduate Program of Towson University. She is also a member of the Chesapeake Human Resources Association's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a literacy tutor with Baltimore Reading Partners, and an election judge.
Keiren brings a wealth of leadership experience and practical expertise to our mission of addressing homelessness in Maryland. With degrees from Harvard University, Towson University, and Earlham College, her strong academic background complements her hands-on approach to organizational growth. Across Maryland, as we face fallout from the recent SCOTUS decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass, the housing crisis threatens our neighbors: Each night, more than 5,000 residents face homelessness, while Baltimore City's courts process an overwhelming 140,000 eviction cases every year. This instability falls hardest on marginalized communities, with Black and brown residents, LGBTQ+ individuals, young people, and low-income families with children shouldering the heaviest burdens. Keiren’s strategic leadership and commitment to equity come at a pivotal time, equipping HPRP to address these pressing issues with renewed focus and determination.
Welcome, Keiren! Together, we will continue HPRP's legacy of fighting for justice, dignity, and the fundamental right to safe, stable housing for all Marylanders.
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