Joaquin Guerrero

Whit Joaquin Guerrero (he/him) is a two-spirit housing strategist and equity-focused leader with extensive experience in homelessness-response systems, supportive housing operations, and cross-sector coordination. His work spans San Francisco, Oregon, and national initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for communities disproportionately impacted by homelessness and housing instability.

In San Francisco, Guerrero served as the inaugural Director of Our Trans Home SF, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to expand safety, housing access, and long-term stability for transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Under his leadership, the initiative grew into a three-part program portfolio that included:

• A 15-room transitional housing program, providing culturally responsive, low-barrier temporary housing and stabilization support;
• A flexible subsidy pool, which continues to house several hundred TGNC San Franciscans through rent assistance, retention strategies, and wraparound resources;
• The Taimon Booton Navigation Center, recognized as the first Transgender Navigation Center in the United States, offering low-barrier shelter and service navigation tailored to TGNC individuals.

Guerrero also contributed to citywide system improvement through appointments to the Trans Advisory Committee and the Shelter Monitoring Committee, providing guidance on shelter standards, equitable access, and resident-centered practices. In addition, he served as a landlord–tenant alternative dispute resolution mediator with the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Conflict Intervention Services, focusing on eviction prevention and connecting at-risk tenants in supportive housing to resources that promote stabilization and housing retention.

Nationally, Guerrero serves as a Capacity Coach for the Transgender Strategy Center, supporting TGNC and BIPOC executive leaders in organizational development, program design, and long-term sustainability within social service systems.

Guerrero currently serves as a Program Officer at a family foundation, where he leads justice-focused philanthropic strategies in Oregon and the broader region. His work emphasizes collaboration with local governments, service providers, and grassroots organizations to strengthen homelessness-response systems and expand community-led solutions.

In spring 2025, he helped launch the Oregon GO Grants, a flexible funding program designed to expand access to capital for culturally specific community-based initiatives. He also participates in statewide philanthropic coordination efforts such as the Oregon Funders for Housing Justice, supporting aligned investment strategies to advance housing stability and equity.

Across his career, Guerrero has been recognized for his commitment to culturally responsive program development, dignity-centered service delivery, and collaborative systems improvement. He continues to contribute to the advancement of homelessness and supportive housing systems in San Francisco, Oregon, and nationwide.