Derek Boulware-Bio
Derek Boulware is the Chief Executive Officer for Housing First, Inc., Established in Mobile in
1993, Housing First is the designated HUD-Continuum of Care (COC), “Collaborative Applicant”
for Mobile and Baldwin Co., responsible for completing the government’s main homeless
funding application and program submission requirements, as well as manage all administrative
and other government reporting mandates. Housing First serves as the homeless data
collection/Federal reporting lead and homeless coordinated entry services provider for our area,
responsible for HUD’s annual Point In time count and our community’s Project Homeless
Connect event.
Additionally, Housing First, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit, tasked by its Board of Directors, with
providing housing, case management, and street outreach services to those experiencing
homelessness in our area. It’s the Mission of Housing First to end homelessness in Southwest
Alabama, with an agency Vision, that everyone has a safe, affordable home, as well as the
resources to maintain it.
Prior to accepting his position with Housing First in 2019, Derek spent 6 years with the American
Red Cross, serving in several leadership roles including, interim Chief Executive Officer of the
Alabama Red Cross, Executive Director of the East Alabama Chapter, and the Alabama Regional
Director for Services to Armed Forces. Prior to his nonprofit work, Derek’s professional
experience included banking, finance and business. Originally from Enterprise, AL, with an
undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, Derek and his family have lived in
Baldwin Co. for the past 22 years, are members of Fairhope United Methodist church, and he is a
former City Councilman for the City of Daphne.