Megan Gillespie is the Lead Housing Specialist for Oregon Quadel and enjoys helping people find stable housing.

Much like the population it serves, the affordable housing industry is full of diverse housing providers.

In an effort to highlight our employees and their unique affordable housing journeys, Quadel features staff members in its series: Passionate People. This week’s feature is Megan Gillespie the Lead Housing Specialist at Oregon Quadel’s office in Warrenton. Gillespie discusses her passion for affordable housing and helping those in her community in this week’s blog.

How did you get into the affordable housing industry?

“I was looking for a change after working for 13 years with a local credit union and saw an online listing for a job with Quadel and decided to take a chance and apply.”

What is your role at Quadel/What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

“I am a Lead Housing Specialist and a part of an amazing team. Our day-to-day runs the gamut of answering general questions regarding rental assistance, assisting participants with porting or transferring their rental assistance, helping with annual recertifications and interim reexaminations, providing customer service support to landlords and tenant families, and more. It’s fast-paced, and there is always something new to learn.”

What do you like most about working in the affordable housing industry? 

“You have a direct impact on people’s lives and can see you are making a difference by helping provide safe and stable housing.”

Why is affordable housing important, and why should people care about the services Quadel provides? 

“Lack of safe and stable housing is a fundamental need that if unmet serves as a fundamental barrier to navigate life successfully. If someone is constantly worried about where they are going to sleep each night, there is no mental or emotional capacity to consider things like employment or applying for services. Quadel brings experience and expertise that allows their clients to manage and run their affordable housing programs in the most efficient way to help the most amount of people.”

What is your goal/motivation as a professional housing provider?

“My goal is to always maintain empathy and respect for the clients we serve and the people we interact with. I want to do what I can to assist my team to provide affordable housing to our local communities.”