Liz Hersh, who served as director of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services for nearly 8 years, recently announced she is stepping down from the role, writes Pat Loeb for KYW Newsradio.

During her tenure, Hersh was the main catalyst in transforming the City’s approach to homelessness, helping rebrand the office, expand partnerships, and increase the focus on permanent housing.

Under her stewardship, Philadelphia became a national model for its approach toward homelessness.

When the pandemic hit; however, it brought another layer of challenges on top of this pressing issue.

However, it reminded Hersh of her everyday approach toward her work. 

“Those challenges, for me, it’s always been about responding with love. It’s absorbing those challenges and then continuing to move forward,” she said. 

Kindness and compassion have always been key for her as she strived to move the needle on the city’s homelessness crisis.

“I think I can say with my head held high that we work really hard every minute of every day to try to alleviate the sufferings and give people a better shot at a better life,” she added.

Hersh will now be joining nonprofit Community Solutions, while her former chief of staff David Hollohan will become the first African American to lead the OHS. 

Learn more about Liz Hersh’s work in KYW Newsradio.

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Liz Hersh led the charge in addressing Philly’s homelessness crisis for nearly 8 years.