Helen Harris
Principal,
Housing Policy and Research
As SHS’s Principal, Housing Policy and Research, Helen manages interdisciplinary project teams on a diverse range of housing policy and research projects, and plays a key role in developing and shaping strategic directions, intent and desired impact to support housing opportunities across Canada.
Helen has ten years of experience in social and housing policy and program delivery. She brings a deep understanding of community housing having focused her career in various frontline, policy and leadership roles in this sector. Before joining SHS, Helen spent over five years working at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) most recently holding the position of Senior Manager, Policy, Research and Education where she led organizational priorities and provided strategic direction through major sectoral shifts. Prior to joining ONPHA, Helen worked in frontline community housing roles with the YWCA Toronto and the Bruce County Housing Corporation.
Current Work
Helen is currently working on projects supported through the National Housing Strategy’s Demonstration Initiative and Housing Supply Challenge. She is also leading a housing model evaluation for an Ontario organization that is developing a new approach to housing services for individuals living with autism.
Education
Master of Arts, Public Policy and Administration (Ryerson University)
Master of Social Work (University of Toronto)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (Wilfrid Laurier University)
Read about the impact Helen has had in these case studies:
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Systemic Barriers to the Creation of Affordable Housing
2022
Upper Hammonds Plains CLT
Driving Transformation: The Power of Land Trusts in African Nova Scotian Communities Solutions Lab
2024