Heather Averick

Director of Housing and Human Services

Housing and Human Services Director Heather Averick Headshot

A Santa Monica resident, Averick brings more than 15 years of combined experience in affordable housing and working with underserved individuals. Most recently, she served as the director of supportive housing for San Diego-based affordable housing developer Affirmed Housing, where she oversaw 19 operating permanent supportive housing communities across California.

Averick began her career as an attorney before transitioning to the housing and human services sector. Before joining Affirmed Housing, she served as executive director and staff attorney for nonprofit homeless advocacy group Think Dignity and executive director for food assistance nonprofit Harvest of Hope Pantry. She has also worked as a consultant for various nonprofits in such areas as operations, program development and implementation, strategic planning, fundraising and development support.

Averick graduated from University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, public relations and Spanish and holds a juris doctor from California Western School of Law.