Ilana Branda

Biography: Ilana Branda joined the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services in October 2018 as the Deputy Chief of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH). In addition to leading strategic initiatives for SEPH including the expansion of the Rental Assistance Program, she directly oversees the Office of Home Energy Programs and the Housing Stabilization/Emergency Services Programs. Ilana’s work with SEPH also includes the development and administration of the County’s COVID Rent Relief Program providing over $70 million in rental assistance to County residents. Prior to joining the County, Ilana served as the Director of Policy and Neighborhood Development at Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP). During her time with MHP, Ilana developed a strategic partnership with the Purple Line Corridor Coalition and co-chaired the drafting of the Housing section of the Purple Line Community Development Agreement. Ilana has spoken at several national level conferences on the topic of equitable transportation-oriented development and creative placemaking, including National Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit, New Partners for Smart Growth, and NeighborWorks America National Training Institute. Ilana's work has supported the award of Section 811 vouchers to Maryland DHCD, receipt of an $800,000 DHMH bond to MHP to develop housing units for Jubilee clients, and the management of the Flower Branch Victim Compensation Fund. Prior to MHP, Ilana served at the Manager of Housing and Community Development at CulturalDC and as a Research Associate for the Montgomery County Planning Department. Ms. Branda has worked for 15+ years in housing policy, urban planning, and community development. She received a Master of Community Planning degree from the University of MD in 2006. She is a current board member of the Community Development Network of MD. Ilana formerly served as a member of Jubilee Association of MD's Housing Advisory Committee, the MD Affordable Housing Coalition's Policy Committee, and the ULI Washington Housing Council. Ilana was a Commissioner on Montgomery County's Commission on Common Ownership Communities from 2016-2019, including serving as founding member of the Distressed Communities Task Force. She is a proud 2017 graduate of Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders program.