Planning and Policy Analyst

As an analyst I conduct research under an urban planning and policy framework to develop HHC’s local and statewide strategy.  I create geographic information systems (G.I.S.) maps for HHC and member organizations to analyze demographic, housing, environmental and public health data to better inform and target outreach campaigns, and to monitor the implementation and efficacy of our work as a collective. I interface with HHC member organizations to provide technical support and ensure that work objectives are well coordinated and organized to produce achievable results.  Additional duties include writing grants, reports, and maintaining the cohesion between on the ground organizing work and policy objectives to drive HHC’s mission forward.

From 2007-2008, Helen worked as a project manager with the non-profit organization Home Ownership Made Easy,  to develop the framework for a community land trust to secure permanent affordable housing for Westside Regional Center’s developmentally disabled community. From 2005-2007 She worked as an environmental planning assistant with the Office of L.A. City Councilmember Ed Reyes focusing on the development of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan and  local affordable housing initiatives. She has worked on a variety of labor and political campaigns including Unite H.E.R.E.'s 2008 elect Obama campain in Reno NV, the 2005 elect Rosendahl for L.A. City Council campaign, the 2004 elect slate of Santa Monicans for Renter’s Rights canditates to Santa Monica City Council campaign, and as a labor organizer for the LAX Airport expansion campaign.

Helen earned an M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA in 2007 and a  B.A. in Sociology and Chicano & Latino Studies from CSULB in 2004. She is currently a board member of Cultivating Sustainable Communities which recently lauched GardenSwap, a program that creates community gardens by connecting private land owners with tenant gardners in the same neighborhoods. She is also a founding board member of the Beverly Vermont Community Land Trust which works to make the LA Eco-Village service area a more economically and environmetally sustainbale community.

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