About Haven Housing

About Us

When life turns upside down, people need more than a place to sleep — they need stability, compassion, and someone who moves quickly so they can breathe again.

Our Story

Haven Housing Solutions was born from a simple truth: when life turns upside down, people need more than a place to sleep — they need stability, compassion, and someone who moves quickly so they can breathe again.

Our founders, Cory Yoviene and Merrick Kovatch, never set out to build another “housing company.” Their journey started years earlier on the beaches of Fenwick Island, DE, where they worked side-by-side as lifeguards. What began as a summer job and a friendship evolved into multiple ventures, a shared entrepreneurial mindset, and ultimately a mission-driven company that now serves families, insurance carriers, government agencies, and corporate partners worldwide.

Their first business together was in short-term rentals. They bought and managed vacation homes, focusing on service, hospitality, and operational excellence. Then the world shut down during COVID-19 — and everything changed.

Instead of walking away, they dug in. They analyzed every reservation, every stay, every guest who had ever walked through their doors. That's when they discovered something important: a significant portion of their bookings came from families displaced by disaster, employees on assignment, and people who needed temporary housing during difficult transitions.

Something clicked. They realized they could help more people — faster and at a larger scale — by becoming the bridge between those who need safe, dependable housing and those who provide it.

No bureaucracy. No red tape. No wasted time. Just responsive, human-centered housing solutions when people need them most.

Months of market research, industry analysis, and customer interviews later, Haven Housing Solutions was created with one goal: deliver speed, value, flexibility, and empathy at a level the temporary housing industry had never seen.

Cory and Merrick credit their unconventional path as their greatest strength. Coming from outside the industry allowed them to look at temporary housing with a fresh, unbiased lens — seeing gaps and inefficiencies others had accepted as “normal,” and designing solutions that put people, not process, at the center.

Today, Haven Housing Solutions is one of the fastest-growing housing providers in the nation, built on a foundation of service, integrity, and “listen first, deliver always” leadership.

The WHY Behind What We Do

Every call we receive represents someone in crisis — a flooded home, a fire, a government deployment, a forced relocation, a family uncertain about the next step. We exist to be the steady hand in that moment.

To make people feel safe, supported, and seen when life becomes overwhelming.

Moving fast when time matters.

Delivering better value so partners can serve more families.

Providing flexible options that meet unique needs.

Removing friction from an already stressful transition.

Treating every stay like someone's home, not a transaction.

When families feel cared for, adjusters feel supported, and agencies feel confident that their people are in good hands — we know we've fulfilled our mission.

Our Mission

At Haven Housing Solutions, our mission is to provide safe, compassionate, and dependable housing for individuals and families during times of crisis and transition. We exist to deliver comfort, stability, and peace of mind when it matters most. Through responsive service and human-centered care, we turn disruption into comfort.

Our Core Values

The principles that guide every decision we make and every family we serve

Empathy First

Every placement represents someone experiencing stress or hardship. We begin with understanding and compassion.

Integrity Always

We operate transparently and ethically — with our partners, clients, and each other.

Reliability at Every Step

From intake to placement to support, we deliver consistent, dependable service.

Solutions Oriented

We treat challenges as opportunities and act quickly, creatively, and effectively.

Scalable Support, Boutique Care

Whether supporting 1 unit or 3,000, our standard of care stays personal and thoughtful.

Affordability with Dignity

Every individual deserves a clean, safe, and dignified place to stay — without compromising value for our partners.

Meet the Team

The people behind Haven Housing Solutions — driven by service, guided by empathy

Cory Yoviene

Cory Yoviene

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Cory's background in supply chain, marketing, national account management, and real estate operations shapes Haven Housing's customer-first, speed-driven approach. With experience leading negotiations for top multifamily groups nationwide, Cory focuses on strategic growth, partner success, and ensuring HHS continues to raise the standard for temporary housing.

San Diego, CA
Merrick Kovatch

Merrick Kovatch

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

With a degree in Marine Engineering, an Unlimited Tonnage Engineer's License, and service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Merrick brings precision, leadership, and operational discipline to the company. His background managing complex systems aboard commercial vessels informs the structure and reliability of Haven Housing's nationwide operations.

Kailua, HI
Juliet Howie

Juliet Howie

VP of Sales, Corporate Housing

Juliet brings a wealth of experience in the industry and a true passion for building meaningful partnerships. As a respected committee chair for GBTA EMEA, her insight, expertise, and vision play a key role in shaping the future of Haven's corporate housing initiative. Her deep understanding of the corporate travel and housing landscape, combined with her heart for service, perfectly aligns with our mission.

Deserie Foley

Deserie Foley

Insurance Housing Specialist

Deserie is an experienced professional in the insurance housing industry with over 10 years of dedicated service. One of her most significant achievements is running retreats focused on healing and spiritual growth, helping others on their journeys. Originally from Southern California, Deserie now resides in Florida, where she continues to pursue her passions and make a positive impact in her community.

Terri Royse

Terri Royse

Housing Solutions Specialist

With extensive experience in insurance, catastrophe, and corporate housing, Terri brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions across various industry sectors. A bibliophile and artist, Terri spends her free time altering old books and creating art journals.

Kristina Ognjanovac

Kristina Ognjanovac

Customer Care Specialist

With more than eight years in insurance relocation and temporary housing and over 20 years in customer service, Kristina combines operational expertise with genuine compassion. A top-performing Guest Service Representative, she supports displaced families, insurance adjusters, and carrier partners during life's most disruptive moments. Kristina manages high-volume ALE files, coordinates lease extensions, resolves billing discrepancies, and ensures clear communication between property owners, insurers, and insured families. At Haven Housing Solutions, she is dedicated to connecting carriers, property partners, and displaced households with professionalism, urgency, and care, restoring stability and delivering dependable housing solutions when families need them most. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, especially engaging with her teenage sons.

Chantel Molina

Chantel Molina

Placement Specialist

Chantel is a dedicated relocation professional with more than two decades of experience supporting corporate and insurance clients. She specializes in coordinating smooth, well-managed transitions while providing personalized service that ensures each client feels supported every step of the way. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, and making memories with her family.

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