Matthew McDermott served as a Policy Specialist for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), Chicago, IL. The CCH works to expand affordable housing, protect human rights, and increase the political power of homeless people.  Matt’s efforts lead to the preservation of 1,000 units, the creation of 380 single room housing units with social services on site, and the adoption of a policy for a 20% affordable housing set aside in all city housing expenditures. He won a BRICK Award in 1998.