|
Ren Essene has 15 years’ experience in community development and is currently a research analyst at the Joint Center for Housing Studies, where she focuses on mortgage markets and fair credit. As Harvard University’s center for information and research on housing in the United States, the Joint Center analyzes the dynamic relationships between housing markets and economic, demographic, and social trends, providing leaders in government, business, and the non-profit sector with the knowledge needed to develop effective policies and strategies.
Ms. Essene is the founding executive director of homeWORD in Missoula, Montana, an organization that has led the acquisition, rehabilitation, and development of a variety of affordable housing projects in the state. As the business development and strategic consultant to homeWORD, Ms. Essene is helping the organization grow a statewide co-development strategy to serve smaller Montana communities. She has also created two homeownership centers in Montana, which have served over 2,670 clients with nearly one-third of the participants achieving homeownership. Ms. Essene holds a master’s degree in public administration.
| 