By Kevin Coughlin
His new title is CEO. “Miracle Worker” might be more accurate.
At least, it will be if Dan McGuire fulfills his mission at Homeless Solutions Inc., the Morristown-based nonprofit he now leads.
“My primary goal as CEO is to end homelessness and expand affordable housing opportunities in Morris County,” said McGuire, who was promoted last month from interim CEO.
Demand for affordable housing is great. McGuire said the waiting list for family-sized apartments built by HSI is up to seven years long.
To afford a two-bedroom apartment at the fair market rent of $1,324, a Morris County household making the minimum wage would have to work 122 hours a week, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
“A big challenge is the lack of adequate funding to provide a safe, supportive environment for every homeless man, woman and child in Morris County—not just the ones that are homeless today, but the ones who will become homeless tomorrow,” McGuire said.
Complicating matters, he said, is a shift in funding priorities by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Childcare programs have seen reductions, he said, and a successful HSI transitional housing program, now in its 20th year, must make up a 25 percent cut by HUD.
Yet the board is confident that if anyone can prevail, it’s McGuire.
“In working with Dan over the past year, we have all been impressed with his focus, his commitment, and his ability to move the organization forward in the midst of transition. It’s been a positive and productive year, and we know that the future of HSI is bright under Dan’s leadership,” board Chair Sarah Canberg said in a statement.
‘A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT’
Established in 1983, Homeless Solutions owns and manages 57 units. Those units housed 120 people, including 47 children, last year. HSI sheltered and housed another 345 people, including 81 children, in its shelter and transitional housing program.
Grant-funded renovations under way at the Mount Kemble Home, a 133-year-old facility acquired by HSI in 2013, will enable it to accommodate 22 senior women instead of 19.
Plans also are proceeding to erect a two-family home on Walnut Street in Morris Township, and eight housing units on Martin Luther King Avenue in Morristown.
A fundraising dinner in March brought in a record $269,000, and McGuire led the nonprofit’s first staff retreat.
On the down side, the organization in July closed Furnishing Solutions, its Morris Plains thrift store, after four years in business.
McGuire joined HSI’s Housing Development division in May 2004 and became director in October 2005.
He earned his undergrad degree at Kenyon College, and has a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.
He succeeds Betsey Hall, an ordained Presbyterian minister who retired in 2015 after 17 years leading Homeless Solutions, where the motto is “A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out.”
McGuire welcomed the state Supreme Court’s decision to transfer oversight of affordable housing from Gov. Christie’s administration to the courts.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that towns and housing advocates, with the impetus of the courts, can settle on reasonable affordable housing numbers and real plans for creating new housing opportunities for Morris County residents,” he said.
One reason for his optimism: HSI is among a handful of nonprofits granted intervenor status in this courts-based process.
“Basically, the court recognizes us as an interested party based on our track-record in town, and the fact that we have locations where we’re interested in providing affordable housing, and are wanting to partner with [Morristown] to make the projects feasible,” McGuire said.
“It’s helped us have a seat at the table so to speak, and as a non-lawyer it has been fascinating to observe the process. We’ve had very productive dealings with the Morristown administration and professionals,” he said, adding that “exciting news should be right around the corner.”
Homeless Solutions promotional video
I am so gratified to see a former student, Dan McGuire, doing so well while he, and Homeless Solutions, where he is the new C.E.O. do good. This organization has accomplished so much for residents of Morris County and I wonder how widely known its work is. Homelessness is all too real here in this county and yet the homeless are often invisible. Fortunately Homeless Solutions is there to give a ‘hand up’ rather than a ‘hand out.’ It provides comprehensive assistance to those who commit to a plan for independence and stability in their lives.
Morris County is the better for having Homeless Solutions here, and, with Dan at the helm, continuing to do what it takes to make lives more secure, stable and promising.
Here is a video that tells the compelling story of Homeless Solutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyHQciIgtc8