How will the $100 million proposed by the state for housing assistance actually help those who need it? And what organization is already providing housing relief for those who need it most? Podcaster Roger Wood explores those two questions with two people who are very involved. Elissa Margolin is the executive director of Housing Action New Hampshire. Maria Devlin directs Families in Transition, which is working to help those in a critical need.
Elissa Margolin
Elissa Margolin serves as director of Housing Action NH, a statewide organization of 80 organizations and businesses working to improve state and federal policy so everyone in New Hampshire has a place to call home.
Since its founding in 2009, Housing Action NH has successfully secured appropriations for the Affordable Housing Fund, increased funding for NH’s homeless shelters, increased federal resources for housing, established a new Medicaid benefit for supportive housing services, helped pass accessory dwelling unit legislation, created the Housing Appeals Board, and protected the Workforce Housing Law.
Elissa holds a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law and a B.A. from McGill University. She resides in Portsmouth.
Maria Devlin oversees the overall strategic and operating responsibility for staff, planning, development, management, and successful implementation of programs and services, community engagement, and the organization’s strategic objectives and mission.
Before joining Families in Transition in June of 2020, Maria was the Regional Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross of Northern New England, where she served for over twelve years. She has over 30 years of non-profit experience in New Hampshire, serving as the Interim Executive Director and Director of Public Affairs for the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire, Director of Annual Giving at Southern New Hampshire University, Director of Development and Director of Program Services for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire. She also worked with Child and Family Services of New Hampshire (now Waypoint), Central New Hampshire Community Mental Health (now Riverbend), and The Orion House in Newport, NH.
Maria holds a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University, a Master’s of Community Psychology from Springfield College, and a Bachelor’s in Child Development & Family Relations. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Leadership of Non-Profit Organizations from Southern New Hampshire University and became a Certified Personal Trainer in 2019 through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and is currently enrolled in NASM’s nutrition program.
Roger Wood is an award winning radio, podcast, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media. Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher and podcast producer at InDepthNH.org. In 2021, he was recognized by the New Hampshire Press Association for his work in news podcasts. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH, New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other public and commercial radio stations. He also produced spot news for CBS Radio. He has produced and narrated some 50 audiobooks and has written three novels. Roger has also moderated political forums for Seacoast Area Chambers of Commerce in Senate, gubernatorial and congressional races. He has also facilitated public policy discussions locally and statewide. Roger and his wife Elaine currently reside in Portsmouth.