Manager of Research & Industry Intelligence

Kelly McElwain has spent the past decade advancing efforts to preserve multifamily affordable housing, both through her research and the strides she’s taken to improve access to critical industry data. As the manager of research and industry intelligence at HAI Group, Kelly oversees the National Housing Preservation Database as well as the organization’s original industry research on affordable rental housing programs. During her tenure at HAI Group, Kelly has coauthored more than a dozen reports that examine various aspects of affordable housing, including preservation needs and strategies, investment pathways to promote access to opportunity, natural hazard exposures, the people who receive housing assistance, and initiatives housing providers use to improve resident outcomes. Kelly’s work has helped localities across the country document their affordable housing stock, build a case for their preservation efforts, and expand programs that improve equitable health, education, and housing outcomes for residents. A frequent speaker at industry events, Kelly also consults with organizations that share her commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and improving service delivery.

Before joining HAI Group in 2014, Kelly assisted nonprofits with research projects, donor stewardship, and grant writing. Kelly holds a master’s degree in public policy and a certificate in survey research from the University of Connecticut, as well as a bachelor’s degree in policy studies and biotechnology from Syracuse University.