Sylvia Alvarez is the Executive Director of the Housing & Education Alliance (HEA).  HEA is a HUD certified housing counseling agency in the Tampa Bay area.  Under her leadership, HEA has received the Tampa Housing Authority’s “Housing Hero Award”, Catholic Charities’ “Outstanding Community Services Award” and the Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber Award for “Non Profit of the Year,” and Neighbor Works America’s “Innovations in Homeownership.”

She has expert management skills with over 25 years of experience in residential lending, real estate and affordable housing.   Sylvia has extensive knowledge of a variety of residential loan products, such as FHA, FHA 203K, USDA, Conventional and down payment assistance from local, state and federal sources.  Sylvia also has an extensive knowledge of the housing counseling industry including homebuyer education and foreclosure counseling. 

Co-author of a book to help families facing foreclosure entitled “The American Nightmare – Strategies for Preventing, Surviving and Overcoming Foreclosure.”  

The book was endorsed by the Hispanic Association of Real Estate Professionals and Freddie Mac.  It was printed in English and Spanish and received national recognition.

Sylvia has been invited to speak at various local and national meetings and workshops including the Annual Conference of the Latino Coalition, Neighbor Works Authors Luncheon and Fannie Mae's Annual Woman's Conference in Washington, D.C. She has been invited to participate in several U.S. Treasury Roundtable Panel discussions addressing the foreclosure crisis, as well as panel discussions at the Annual Conference of the Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. She is a two time appointee to Hillsborough County’s Affordable Housing Task Force and has participated at dozens of foreclosure rescue fairs throughout the Tampa Bay area including those presented by Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

Sylvia has a proven track record at building a strong network of business partners. She is results and goal driven, self-motivated, of high integrity and a team player and is fluent in Spanish. As a licensed realtor she has been a long-standing member of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors, a member of the Hispanic Professional Women's Association, the League of Women Voters and the Exchange Club. She also sits on several community organization boards.