Meet the Team

Ready to help you

The OCHE team is a group of compassionate people who care about helping you resolve your rental arrears situation.

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The OCHE Team

Melanie Martin

Commissioner of Housing Equity

Melanie Martin is a respected oversight executive and a leading voice in administrative fairness, social housing governance, and eviction prevention reform in Toronto. With more than a decade of progressive leadership experience at the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE), Melanie has built a reputation for integrity, impartiality, and a deep commitment to protecting housing stability for Toronto’s most vulnerable residents.
Read more about Melanie Martin

As Commissioner of Housing Equity, Melanie serves as an independent, Board appointed authority for both Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC). In this role, she exercises impartial judgment on high stakes arrears and loss of subsidy cases, ensuring decisions uphold natural justice, procedural integrity, and compliance with the Housing Services Act, Residential Tenancies Act, and City of Toronto policies. She provides direct reporting and strategic advice to two Boards of Directors, offering insight into systemic risks, policy gaps, and opportunities to strengthen eviction prevention practices across both organizations.

Melanie has led OCHE through a period of change following the expansion of the OCHE’s mandate, guiding the office’s evolution as its oversight responsibilities grew across two housing corporations. She has strengthened OCHE’s governance framework, modernized its work planning and performance measurement processes, and enhanced its ability to identify systemic issues that impact housing stability. Her leadership has reinforced OCHE’s role as an impartial oversight body operating at arm’s length from management, while deepening trust and collaboration with senior executives, legal partners, and community organizations.

Prior to becoming Commissioner, Melanie served as Senior Advisor at OCHE, where she oversaw Early Resolution Officers and ensured the fairness, accuracy, and compliance of all case reviews. She led administrative audits, conducted systemic analyses, and provided expert guidance on policy interpretation, legislative compliance, and dispute resolution. Earlier in her career, she served as an Early Resolutions Officer, mediating complex arrears cases and reducing reliance on the Landlord and Tenant Board through fair, tenant centered solutions.

Melanie’s foundation in social housing began at Toronto Community Housing Corporation, where she held roles in Program Services, Tenant Services, and Compliance. Across these positions, she developed deep expertise in housing legislation, operational policy, and the systemic challenges facing low income households in Toronto.

A graduate of the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology, Melanie has pursued extensive professional development in administrative law, adjudication, crisis intervention, and ombuds style oversight.
Throughout her career, Melanie has been recognized for her principled leadership, her ability to navigate sensitive and high stakes issues with fairness and empathy, and her unwavering commitment to equity and tenant well being. She brings to the Commissioner role a rare combination of operational insight, governance experience, and independent oversight expertise which are grounded in the core belief that stable housing is foundational to dignity, opportunity, and community well being.
Summer Nudel

Interim Senior Advisor

Summer is a client-focused leader and trusted advisor who brings more than 15 years of experience in social work, teaching, mediation, affordable housing and social justice program management to the role. She has a deep understanding of the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) and its role as an independent accountability office within TCHC.
Read more about Summer Nudel

Summer was a member of the inaugural OCHE team, serving as an Early Resolutions Officer from 2014 to 2017. She rejoined the team last year as a Senior Advisor.

Summer holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on policy, organization and community development. Her early career was in social services as an advocate for affordable housing in Scarborough, Ontario.

She went on to be the director of adult day programs for seniors and vulnerable adults and then became accredited as Family Mediator.

Summer worked as a Family Law Mediator for Legal Aid Ontario before joining the OCHE in 2014. Summer teaches relational and reflective skills to social service worker students at Centennial College.
Nancy Lourenco

Business Planner

Nancy joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) in June 2018, bringing a wealth of experience from her extensive background in social work. She holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from York University.
Read more about Nancy Lourenco

With over 15 years of experience in the field, Nancy has worked with diverse groups and projects, continuously refining her skills and expertise. Her career has been driven by a strong passion for supporting individuals in need, with a particular emphasis on person-centered approaches to social work practice.

Nancy began her journey at OCHE as an Early Resolution Officer in 2018 and has since transitioned into the role of Business Planner. In this capacity, she draws on her frontline experience to support the development of new initiatives and contributes to reporting to the Board, highlighting the impactful work achieved by the OCHE.
Shahla Ravvaf

Administrative Assistant

Shahla joined the OCHE in August 2022 and has over 16 years of experience in property management. Shahla has worked in both the public and private sector and served as a resource for policy compliance in both sectors.
Read more about Shahla Ravvaf

Shahla joined the OCHE because she believes that housing stability is the core social determinant of health that influences an individual’s well-being and she is committed to a client focused experience that is supportive and welcoming.

Early Resolution Officers

Early Resolution Officers (EROs) work with tenants facing eviction and identify underlying issues preventing them from paying their rent. The EROs will work with tenants, TCHC and other stakeholders to resolve the unpaid rent and help tenants stay in their homes.

Jennifer Mitchell

Early Resolution Officer

Jennifer joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) in May 2024.
With Honours degrees in History, English, and Cultural Studies from McMaster University and Paralegal Studies from Humber College, plus a Business Analyst certificate from the University of Toronto, Jennifer brings diverse expertise to her role. Jennifer is a licensed paralegal in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

Jennifer began her career at the Department of Justice, Tax Law Service Centre, she provided legal support to the CRA and supported the federal government in tax collection efforts. Later, Jennifer joined BMO's legal department, managing BMO's final escalation complaint process with fairness and integrity. Handling unresolved customer complaints across North America, independently of BMO's business operations; In order to identify improvement opportunities and recommend enhancements.

During Jennifer's tenure at TCHC, she worked in the community of Regent Park as an Operating Unit Clerk, before advancing to Client Care, where she also served as acting Shift Lead. She demonstrated a high level of understanding of the TCHC policies and procedures, as well as the tenancy concerns and diverse needs of TCHC residents.

Beyond her professional roles, Jennifer is an active community member, serving on the board of directors of a housing cooperative. She advocates for the preservation and creation of more affordable housing and, believes in safe and dignified housing for all.
Mark Linton

Early Resolution Officer

Mark joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) in October 2023, bringing several years of case management experience, with an extensive background in community development. His career in social work began with the John Howard Society of Toronto, where he provided pre-release counselling and reintegration support to individuals who had experienced incarceration, and in need of housing stabilization.

He transitioned into senior leadership roles, and was responsible for overseeing mental health and addiction programs, home for good housing subsidies, post incarceration follow-up teams and collaborated with multi-service agencies to launch and chair the Toronto south community reintegration planning table. His in-depth understanding of the emergency shelter system, provides a pragmatic and measured approach in relations to eviction prevention, shelter diversion and bilateral landlord-tenant negotiation.

Mark joined the OCHE due to the intentionality, impact and purpose of our work. He understands the urgency that is experienced in terms of housing insecurity, and is driven by equitable advocacy, with the objective of creating positive outcomes for TCHC residents.
Melissa Ramirez

Early Resolution Officer

Melissa joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in November of 2023. Melissa is passionate about empowering vulnerable and marginalized individuals by providing connection to community, resources, and support. She brings years of Case Management experience in the social services field working with diverse populations in Mental Health and Addictions. Melissa is committed to providing tenants the support and resources needed to stabilize their tenancy with respect and dignity.
Myah Whittall

Early Resolution Officer

Myah joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) in September 2025. Myah holds an Honours degree in Applied Science in Justice Studies from the University of Guelph and a diploma in Police Foundations from Humber College. Bringing a strong understanding of social systems, community justice, and structural barriers that impact tenants at risk of eviction.
Myah brings over six years of case management experience working in the non-profit and public sector supporting individuals facing homelessness, mental health, addiction and complex social barriers. She brings a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention and client advocacy developed through her various community-focused roles.
Committed, empathetic and solutions-oriented, Myah is dedicated to supporting tenants in maintaining housing, navigating legal and social service systems, and overcoming the challenges that place their housing at risk.
Nickza Dalas

Early Resolution Officer

Nickza joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) in August 2024.

Nickza holds a Social Service Work Diploma from Centennial College, a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Master's degree in Social Work with a specialization in Human Services Management and Leadership from University of Toronto. She is also a Registered Social Worker.

Nickza feels passionately about providing quality service to marginalized individuals due to her personal and professional background. She has more than eight years of experience in the non-profit and public sector where she worked with diverse populations. Prior to coming on board with OCHE, she worked with the federal government in social funding programs within the Employment and Social Development Canada department. Nickza has lived experience of growing up as a TCHC tenant in the east end where she was an active community member.

Nickza strongly believes in the importance of working alongside tenants to support eviction prevention for senior and vulnerable tenants living in Toronto Community Housing.
Nikol Mohov

Early Resolution Officer

Nikol joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in December 2023, bringing with her 8 years of experience working in various sectors of social services with a special focus on mental health, addictions, and homelessness. Prior to joining OCHE, Nikol worked for the City of Toronto for 7 years in various sectors including corporate real estate management supporting people with their provincial offences, SSHA- streets to homes supporting and advocating for individuals living in encampments to receive sustainable housing and Toronto employment and social services. Nikol had the opportunity to work with different city projects including the pathways inside project which was a collaborative internal stakeholder project focused on supporting clients obtain sustainable housing and financial assistance while also managing different caseloads for various teams such as pending Ontario disability support program clients, transitional clients that have concurrent disorders, substance abuse and chronic homelessness, HOPE clients who have concurrent disorders and chronic homelessness who want to apply for disability and applications; supporting the province complete applications for Ontario works.
Sandy Soares

Early Resolution Officer

Sandy joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in August 2017, bringing with her an extensive Social Work background. Sandy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Public Administration from Ryerson University, and is a Registered Social Worker. Sandy’s career began as a Child Protection Worker with the Children’s Aid Society where she assisted children, youth and their families facing challenges with addictions, mental health, abandonment, abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and homelessness. With a focus on critical approaches to social work practice, Sandy joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity because she recognizes the need to bring awareness on how vulnerable populations are served and is committed to addressing their needs in a humane way.
Sohail Shahidnia

Early Resolution Officer

Sohail joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) in September 2025.
Sohail holds a BA in Law and Justice from Laurentian University, a MA in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies from University of Toronto, and is currently a PhD student in Policy Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Sohail brings more than ten years of experience in investigation and case management, in addition to eight years of teaching various criminology and law at several post-secondary institutions.
Sohail is passionate about empowering marginalized individuals, strengthening community connections, and helping tenants navigate complex housing challenges.
Steven Iserhoff

Early Resolution Officer

Steven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Analysis from Ryerson University. He has a background in the public sector, including international experience at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Prior to joining the team at the OCHE, Steven worked in the Legal Department at TCHC. Steven is passionate about creating connections with tenants and providing support to navigate the community housing system.
Tristan Davies

Early Resolution Officer

Tristan joined the OCHE team in January 2024 and brings with him several years of experience working in the housing sector and public service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Guelph and a Diploma in Paralegal Studies from Seneca College. Prior to coming on board with OCHE, he gained experience with the City of Toronto’s Employment and Social Services division. He also spent time as a Tenant Service Coordinator with TCHC, where he helped tenants navigate the arrears collection process. Tristan brings with him an extensive knowledge of TCHC’s policies and procedures and is passionate about engaging with tenants and reaching positive outcomes.
Vernessa Grant

Early Resolution Officer

Vernessa joined the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity in March 2022, bringing with her over thirteen years of case management experience within the Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing System. Working as a Housing Support Worker, Vernessa assisted people experiencing homelessness secure and maintain housing by offering support and empowering them with the tools necessary to maintain successful tenancies. Before joining the OCHE team, Vernessa was a Tenant Services Administrator with TCHC where she had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the Arrears Collection Process. Vernessa values the importance of providing service with empathy, compassion and respect and uses this in her day to day engagement with tenants.