About Hunter
Pronouns: She/They
Hunter Herrera-McFarland is a Policy Manager at The Kelsey, where she advances state and federal initiatives to create more accessible, affordable, and inclusive housing for people with disabilities and older adults. She leads The Kelsey’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) advocacy efforts in various states, working closely with Housing Finance Agencies and partners to ensure Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs prioritize disability inclusion and supportive services.
With over ten years of experience in community organizing and policy advocacy, Hunter’s commitment to housing access and justice is deeply informed by her lived experience as a disabled renter. She previously served as Board President for the Tenants Union of Washington State, championing tenant protections and equitable housing policies across the state.
Hunter is Diné and Mescalero Apache. She grew up in rural Southern Idaho and now lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her partner, Carter, her service dog, Diya, and her cat, Wobbles. She earned a BA in Political Science and American Indian Studies and an MA in Communication from the University of Wyoming. While there, she developed her advocacy and research skills as one of the most successful debaters in the team’s history.
Before joining The Kelsey, she worked as a debate coach at UC Berkeley and assisted administration and programs at PowerSwitch Action. Hunter enjoys exploring the outdoors, attending drag shows, and watching horror movies.
What part of The Kelsey’s mission are you proudest to be part of / support?
I am proud to be a part of an organization that is focused on empowering leaders with disabilities. We are a powerful team, but we cannot accomplish our mission alone. We need other thought-partners and organizers by our side which is why I’m excited to work closely with The California Disability Inclusive Housing Working Group and other coalitions. I also believe disabled folks should be the leaders in these coalitions because we have the personal experiences and expertise to lead us to victory.
What is your favorite building feature?
My old neighbor used a mobility aid and we wanted to invite him over for dinner at our house because he always invited us over, but we were never able to because you had to walk up a few steps to enter our house. I wish every single family home had a ramp or landlords provided portable ramps. Unfortunately, many people are more concerned with the curb appeal of their homes than making them accessible.