Alexandria's Director of Housing, Helen McIlvaine, Receives Ronald F. Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership

Page updated on September 19, 2024 at 1:23 PM
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From left to right, City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, Alexandria Housing Director Helen McIlvaine, and COG Executive Director Clark Mercer.

Alexandria, Va.— On Wednesday, December 13, Helen McIlvaine, Director of Housing for the City of Alexandria, was honored with the Ronald F. Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership at the Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) in Washington, D.C. McIlvaine received recognition for her instrumental role in driving innovation and developing creative strategies to address Alexandria's housing challenges, including changes to multifamily residential zones and the recent Zoning for Housing/Housing for All effort.   

“I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Helen for receiving this prestigious and timely award,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “As Director of Housing, Helen has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to successfully collaborate with multiple stakeholders and advocate for the needs of all Alexandrians. Her tireless leadership in the preservation and production of affordable housing in the City, along with her work with nonprofit and private developers and the local housing authority to structure and finance developments, continues to make a lasting impact on people’s lives." 

As the head of the Office of Housing, McIlvaine leads implementation of Alexandria’s 2013 Housing Master Plan and the Regional Housing Initiative, aimed to create 4,250 affordable housing units by 2030. In 2023, under McIlvaine’s leadership, the Housing staff are actively involved in advancing the Zoning for Housing/Housing for All and Alexandria West Small Area Plan initiatives.   

"Helen and the hard-working staff at the Office of Housing deserve to be celebrated for their service to the community,” said City Manager James Parajon. “Helen’s leadership in Alexandria continues to bring innovative solutions to current housing challenges and stronger relationships with our community partners. We are all thrilled that she is being recognized through this award."   

Before joining the City in 2006, McIlvaine led development efforts at three nonprofit housing organizations: Catholics for Housing, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. She was a practicing attorney prior to a mid-career shift to affordable housing development and finance. McIlvaine and her husband live in the City’s West End. 

The Kirby Award honors area government executives who work collaboratively with elected officials, stakeholders, and their communities to shape a better region. The award is presented in the memory of Ron Kirby, COG’s Transportation Planning Director from 1987 to 2013. 

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