For over 40 years, Richard has been a leader in the charge to defeat homelessness, bringing to the table specific and viable economic solutions. After serving honorably as a U.S. Marine 1969-1972, Vietnam 1970-1971, Richard saw the beginnings of homelessness as a mortgage foreclosure preventionist in Philadelphia in the 1980s. In Austin, TX, he was the creator and Director of Legal Aid for the Homeless where he had daily interaction with disabled homeless citizens for 35 years. He founded House the Homeless, Inc. (HtH) in 1989 to help homeless and formerly homeless citizens protect their civil rights and find solutions that will end and prevent their homelessness. He still serves as the National Education Director, NED for HtH. A social engineer, he graduated with honors with a B.A. in sociology from St. Edward's University. Richard has authored two books and many articles, booklets and white papers and created scores of plans, programs, and organizations to address dozens of social problems. He wrote the Homeless Protected Class Resolution, and devised legislation to prevent Hate Crimes against the homelessness. After many years in Austin, TX, Richard returned to his roots in North Carolina where he continues his tireless advocacy.