Staff

Email: kwest@housingnetworkri.org
Phone: 401-721-5680 ext. 37

Katie is a lifelong Rhode Islander. Prior to joining the Housing Network of Rhode Island, Katie was the Outreach Supervisor for the Rhode Island SNAP Outreach Project at the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America, a program that provides support to people in accessing SNAP food assistance. She also worked as a Senior Assessment Specialist at the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children, on a project to promote access to high quality early childhood education for RI children and families. She is a 2018 Alum and Board Member of New Leaders Council Rhode Island. She has previously volunteered with the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project and Help the Homeless RI. She holds a BA in Sociology and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island.

Email: mlodge@housingnetworkri.org
Phone: 401-721-5680 ext. 38

Melina Lodge has served as the Executive Director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island since 2015. She also directs HNRI’s affiliated nonprofit the Community Housing Land Trust of Rhode Island (CHLT). She is responsible for working with HNRI’s membership and allied organizations to develop and advance HNRI’s advocacy agenda. Melina has also held positions at RIHousing and the WARM Center. Melina holds a and a BA in Economics and Master’s in Community Planning from the University of Rhode Island. She serves on several housing related commissions including RIHousing’s Neighborhood Opportunities Advisory Committee, the State of Rhode Island’s Housing Resources Commission, and LISC’s Neighborhood Development Fund Advisory Committee.