CFH Staff

Catholics for Housing's Inc. office is managed and supported by:

       Christopher A, Johnston, Executive Director

             Karen S. DeVito,  Program Manager

        Linda C. Wright, Administrative Assistant

Executive Director

Christopher A. Johnston was appointed the fifth Executive Director of Catholics for Housing on January 1, 2001. A native of the Jersey shore, Chris has twenty-five years of experience working on issues related to affordable housing and homelessness in Northern Virginia.  Prior to his appointment at CFH, Chris was employed by the Fellowship Square Foundation where he served three years as Manager of the Hunters Woods Fellowship House in Reston, VA and nine years as Director of Operations for the Foundation.  He has also worked as a housing specialist for the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development and as a social worker for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington.

A graduate of Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Chris did graduate work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and later earned a Master of Social Work degree in Human Service Management from Howard University, also in Washington.  Chris is a Licensed Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers and a Certified Social Work Manager.  He also holds HUD certifications in site, property, financial and senior housing management.

Program Manager

Karen S. DeVito comes to Catholics for Housing with 12 years of experience with the Milford Housing Authority, (MHA) in Milford Connecticut. While at MHA, Karen was responsible for managing the Section 8 Program and the Public Housing Program for families. Karen also developed a Family Self-Sufficiency program, which served the families in both programs. Under Karen's direction, 50+ families were able to achieve their goals, attending college, buying homes and providing a higher education for their children.  Karen earned HUD certifications in Public Housing Management, Section 8 Management and Housing Quality Standards Inspections.

Karen began representing CFH at the Prince William County (PWC) Continuum of Care Network in 2003 and became the Chair of the organization in 2005.  Karen serves with several Community Action Teams in conjunction with the Network and sits on the PWC Housing Advisory Board and the Board of County Supervisors Human Service Coalition.

Administrative Assistant

Linda C. Wright comes to CFH with an extensive background in sales and marketing and has published four community newspapers. Prior to coming to CFH she was the Food Pantry Coordinator of ACTS, a non-profit in Dumfries, Virginia. 

Linda has assumed the responsibility for the direct-service programs, Edie Streett Security Deposit Assistance Program and the Virginia Ely Senior Rental Assistance Program, as well as the administrative duties of the CFH office. She will also spearhead the production of the CFH newsletter and the continual updating of the CFH website.