Helena Cunningham is the founder and CEO of National Housing Consultant Service LLC (NHCS). NHCS is a full service housing and community development consultant firm. We work closely with non -profit and for -profit developers and organizations to promote ownership, development, management, and preservation of affordable housing and sustainable quality communities for low- and moderate- income persons.
Ms. Cunningham is formerly the NHP Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director of NHPF’s affordable housing programs in the Gulf Coast Region. Ms. Cunningham oversaw the rehabilitation of 1,000 units and the development of 2,000 new units of multifamily affordable housing in the region at an estimated cost of $300 million.
Helena R. Cunningham served as President and Appointing Authority of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA), began her career with the Agency as its Assistant Attorney General, representing the Agency as its General Counsel from November 1997 until she filled the position of Vice President in December 1999 and subsequently elected President in April 2001.
Holding a certification as a Certified Public Accountant and Juris Doctorate degree, Helena has combined her education with over 15 years of varied experience in financing, development and construction of low to moderate and mixed income housing. Bringing her unique perspective of seeing development from government’s perspective as well as a private developer, she has the ability to understand the goals and objectives of the state and translate that into real measurable outcomes.
Ms. Cunningham has a wealth of housing experience and has effectively steered the development and administration of housing programs. Prior professional experience includes accountant and auditor for state and city government. A trusted source for information regarding compliance to various housing programs Helena is consistently sought out for her advice and consultation.
Ms. Cunningham affiliations include membership in the American Bar Association, the National Association for Bond Lawyers, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the Baton Rouge Bar Association. She has served on the advisory committee for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Baton Rouge LISC and Mid South Delta LISC. Currently Ms. Cunningham serves as a board member for the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority Board as well as on the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Association of Affordable Housing Providers. She is married; mother of two and an active member of many social and community organizations.