Jennifer Leimaile Ho has a long history of working to fight homelessness in America. From 2013-2017 she was the Senior Advisor for Housing and Services at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development where she managed the Department’s relationship with HHS and the intersection of housing and health—ending homelessness, meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities, and defining the housing needs of an aging America.

Prior to her appointment to HUD, she served as deputy director at the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), overseeing the creation of Opening Doors, the nation’s first-ever comprehensive federal plan to prevent and end homelessness. She facilitated development of the USICH youth framework, and served as point person on issues related to families and chronic homelessness. She has helped communities across the country translate the opportunities inherent in the Affordable Care Act to the work of ending homelessness.

From 1999 to 2010, Jennifer was the first Executive Director of a non-profit organization called Hearth Connection, which managed a nationally-recognized demonstration project on long-term homelessness for single adults, youth and families in Minnesota.

Her early career was in Medicare and Medicaid managed care. She was Vice President of New Product Development at United Health Group’s Ovations Division and Director of Government Programs at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Born and raised in Minnesota, which she still calls home, Jennifer received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Bryn Mawr College.