[Archived] Helen S. McIlvaine Named Alexandria’s Acting Director of Housing

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2015

Acting City Manager Mark B. Jinks has announced the appointment of Helen S. McIlvaine as Acting Director of Housing for the City of Alexandria, effective January 1, 2015.  McIlvaine succeeds Mildrilyn S. Davis, who has retired.

“Helen has been a strong leader on the critical issues of affordable housing and landlord-tenant relations,” said Jinks. “I know she will continue to do outstanding work in leading the City’s housing efforts while a permanent director is selected.” 

McIlvaine joined the Office of Housing in 2006 as Deputy Director, where she worked with the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation, other nonprofit and private developers, and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), to structure and finance projects that incorporate affordable housing.  She supervised the Housing Implementation Division, which provides homeownership assistance loans for first time buyers, home rehabilitation loans and housing counseling.

McIlvaine’s work also supports citywide planning processes, including the 2013 Housing Master Plan and ARHA Strategic Plan.  She has been Housing’s liaison for the Braddock Metro Neighborhood, Braddock East, Potomac Yard and Beauregard Corridor Plans and the current Oakville Triangle planning study, and assists with education and outreach to community groups regarding affordable housing. 

Prior to her work in Alexandria, McIlvaine was Director of Real Estate Development for the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, and executive director of Catholics for Housing.  Before transitioning to affordable housing development, McIlvaine practiced law, including general civil and construction litigation in Texas and Virginia. 

McIlvaine holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland’s European Division and a Juris Doctor from the Rutgers University’s School of Law.

For media inquiries, contact Craig T. Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3965.

This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/82568