Dedication and Commitment
Our team at Housing Independence is here to help bridge the transition from living at home to having the skills and confidence to successfully live independently in the local community. In addition to housing and living resource services, we also offer employment services to support the goal of working and living independently.
Our Team
Lydia Robert
Director of Housing Services
Lydia graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and shortly after moving to Portland in 2017, she started her career at Housing Independence. Lydia works closely with clients in identifying and securing housing resources that allow them the affordability to live independently in the community. In addition, Lydia provides supports to residents that reside at affordable housing communities through a partnership with Housing Independence. Lydia has a passion to help those around her and her past work experiences have helped shaped her career path. Lydia also enjoys hiking, exploring National Parks, and participating on her intramural volleyball team.
Amy Reza
Community Inclusion Coordinator
Amy is our Community Inclusion Coordinator and has been with Housing Independence since 2020. Amy works in partnership with Housing Independence clients to develop community-based activities to support individuals' hobbies and interests. She focuses on diverse ways our clients can take part in the community, and not just for fun, but to also to learn and volunteer to help others. She developed her passion for working with individuals with a range of disabilities while working as a therapy horseback riding instructor earlier in her career. She has a BS from Ohio University and an MS from Miami University of Ohio. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing video games, walking her dog, and hanging out with her family.
Nic Angeles
Housing Resource Manager
Nic joined the Housing Independence team in 2016 after working as a basketball coach and skills trainer at the YMCA for 3 years.
Nic works with individuals in accessing and attaining affordable housing opportunities. In addition, Nic provides ongoing supports
and activities of daily living for the folks he serves. Nic is not only passionate about working with his clients, he enjoys sharing his interests in basketball, exercise, and health. You can often find Nic and his clients shooting hoops in the local park.
” Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”
Kaitlan Purkapile
Life Skills Trainer
Joining Housing Independence as a life skills coach in 2021, Kaitlan enjoys helping to create an environment where everyone is successful by developing important life skills, giving them a greater sense of community. In her free time, Kaitlan enjoys spending time with her family, her pets and adventuring at the Oregon Coast.
Ingrid Doerksen
Life Skills Trainer
Ingrid has been with Housing Independence since 2018 and utilizes her unique life experience to support clients with cooking, housekeeping tips and identifying community resources that allow them to live independently. Originally from Germany, she loves reading, watching mysteries, and dabbling in herbal teas.
Kelci Flowers
Life Skills Trainer
Prior to joining the Housing Independence team in 2019, Kelci worked as a preschool teacher where she developed her passion and skills for teaching. Kelci utilizes her teaching experience to assist individuals with building their skills for daily living. In addition, Kelci enjoys cooking, watching movies, hiking and spending time with her family.
Abbi Gross
Life Skills Trainer
Abbi Gross has been working with Housing Independence since the end of 2021. She is great at providing supports to a variety of clients, helping them to live independently. In her spare time, she enjoys roller skating, reading, and hanging out with pals.