About

Tom Albanese has provided planning, development, and implementation support for housing and homeless programs since 1992 and is a nationally recognized expert in community and program strategies to prevent and end homelessness. He presently leads Element Consulting Group, LLC, an independent consultancy supporting communities around the U.S. develop and scale data-driven, people-centered solutions.  

Element Consulting Group, LLC is currently engaged with various communities around the U.S. to improve local responses, operationalize equitable practices, and meaningfully involve people affected by homelessness in local design, governance, and implementation, including Chicago, Orange County, CA, and Cuyahoga County, OH, among others. Tom also serves on HUD and VA national technical assistance teams and leads national and local efforts to develop and scale coordinated and targeted approaches that measurably work to prevent homelessness.

Previously, Tom served as Associate Director of the Community Shelter Board (CSB) in Columbus, OH, where he was responsible for CSB’s overall strategic planning, system leadership and management, external relationships, and knowledge management. While at CSB, he co-led efforts to engage local youth, providers, community partners, and funders to establish a youth action board and plan, ultimately securing over $6M in Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) funding in 2018 (second round). Tom also served as a Principal Associate with Abt Associates, where he helped lead national technical assistance efforts for HUD’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP),  

HMIS and point-in-time count standards and guidance. Tom also served as an original member and co-lead of the national technical assistance for the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program and currently serves as a subcontractor leading VA technical assistance for various communities and initiatives.  

Tom is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio and a member of the COHHIO Board of Directors.