Ashley Hamilton brings decade of housing experience to position
Salem, OR — The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) is proud to announce the appointment of Ashley Hamilton as the new Deputy Executive Director. A respected authority in homeless services programming, Hamilton brings nearly a decade of experience transforming regional and statewide systems of care to address issues of poverty and promote equity.
Hamilton, who has served as the Chief Program Officer at MWVCAA since April 2022, originally joined the organization in September 2014 as a Case Manager for Marion and Polk Counties within the ARCHES program. Her journey with MWVCAA has been marked by a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, creating valuable strategic partnerships, and establishing frameworks that uphold human dignity while addressing key program deliverables.
“Our work matters because we serve so many people in our community, all from different walks of life and a wide range of experiences including preschoolers and their families, rural communities, veterans, our unsheltered neighbors and vulnerable teens. Each one of these people and their circumstances matter, making the services MWVCAA provides even more important,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said her drive is fueled by the affirmation that any of us could need help at any time. MWVCAA Executive Director Jimmy Jones shares his confidence in Hamilton’s capabilities.
“Ashley knows how to work with measures of high accountability and efficiency that are required by the demands of the grants that fund our success. She has a long history of protecting vulnerable populations under extraordinary circumstances, including wildfire, COVID, snow and ice, rent relief, and the affordable housing crisis,” Jones said.
During her tenure, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hamilton has achieved significant milestones, including:
- Securing two multi-million dollar statewide competitive grants for the conversion of hotels into shelters.
- Establishing the area’s first Navigation Center, creating a resident pathway from shelter placement into housing.
- Implementing the extension of youth and young adult transitional housing services into rural Polk County, alongside the pioneering launch of the state’s inaugural youth Rapid Re-Housing initiative.
- Deploying multiple Eviction Prevention contracts in partnership with the state of Oregon, disseminating more than $36 million of assistance.
- Developing MWVCAA’s first mobile shower program, farmworker outreach division, wildfire housing response unit, and permanent supportive housing complexes.
Hamilton’s leadership extends beyond MWVCAA. She has actively participated in the Built for Zero planning team, the local Health and Housing Committee, and has served as Chair of the Coordinated Entry Committee through the local Continuum of Care.
- Continuum of Care – Coordinated Entry Committee (prior Chair)
- CAPO – Homeless and Housing Work Group (Co-Chair)
- Oregon Telephone Access Program (Advisory Board Member)
- Polk Co: Partners Aligned Toward Housing Solutions (Board Member)
With Hamilton stepping into the role of Deputy Executive Director, MWVCAA is poised to continue its mission of helping people and changing lives. Her vision and expertise will undoubtedly drive the agency’s efforts to address poverty and homelessness in the Mid-Willamette Valley with even greater impact.