Alex Din

Social Science Analyst

Current Responsibilities

Analysis and Research

I have published peer-reviewed research on geographic restrictions on voucher households, changes in voucher locations between 2010–2020, and the effects of highly destructive wildfires on HUD-USPS address data.

I conduct ad-hoc analyses of large administrative and spatial datasets using Python, SQL, SAS, and ArcGIS Pro to respond to emerging policy questions, data requests, and leadership inquiries, translating complex data into clear, actionable insights.

I have taught students to use HUD data and apply spatial analysis in data challenges with the University of Maryland College Park, the University of Washington, Georgetown University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dashboards and Data Products

Neighborhood Change Web Map (NCWM)

• Built a production data pipeline (Python, SQL, SAS) processing 2B+ USPS, HUD, and FHA administrative records, integrating external datasets (Census LEHD/LODES, ACS) to generate quarterly longitudinal, tract-level indicators of neighborhood change from 2008–present across all 50 states and D.C.
• Developed a public-facing, interactive query tool used by governments, researchers, and nonprofits to analyze neighborhood characteristics such as housing occupancy/vacancy, HUD-assisted households, homeownership, and employment over time.

Selected Features:

• Introducing Near Real-Time Neighborhood Data
• Enhancing the NCWM with Map Overlays
• Accessing the NCWM Using an API

Opportunity Zone Activity Map (OZAM) - In Development

• Developing a dashboard to support state and gubernatorial nomination of eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 (2026 cohort), integrating federal data to identify and evaluate qualifying areas. Release is anticipated following publication of final eligibility designations.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Area Lookup Tool - In Development

• Developed the Project-Based Voucher Area Lookup Tool, a dataset and web map that identifies areas where vouchers are difficult to use by aligning tool logic with HUD’s regulatory definition. The tool supports Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to identify where project-based voucher (PBV) developments can exceed the 10% portfolio cap.

I am at the subject matter expert for the HUD-USPS Address Data and HUD-USPS ZIP Code Crosswalk Files.

I manage data licenses with partner research institutions. I review research proposals, draft data sharing contracts, use SAS/SQL to construct datasets from HUD administrative data millions, and monitor data sharing.

Cityscape

• Serve as Co-Managing Editor of Cityscape, HUD’s journal for original research on housing and community development, partnering with political and career leadership to identify policy-relevant topics, recruit expert guest editors, and oversee article selection and the end-to-end editorial process for each issue.
• Served as Guest Editor for Measuring Blight and The Hispanic Housing Experience, Part II. I also serve as Department Editor for Graphic Detail, a section that translates complex housing data and research into data visualizations.

Project Management

• Serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR-II) and Government Technical Representative (GTR), managing contracts, interagency agreements, and grants supporting housing research, data acquisition, and analytical support; draft procurement documents, review proposals, oversee contractor and grantee performance, manage budgets, and evaluate deliverables.
• Neighborhood Change Indicators: Led technical oversight of a contractor applying machine learning to large-scale administrative data to predict neighborhood change.

Previous Responsibilities

I managed HUD's Geospatial Data Storefront

• I used Python, the ArcGIS API, and PowerBI to track and visualize engagement and data downloads with HUD'S Geospatial Data Storefront.
• I worked with contractors and other program areas to manage and update feature services.
• I managed HUD ArcGIS Online user accounts and credit usage for hosted data.
• Served as the point-of-contact for communication with HUD's GIS software vendor (Esri).
• Coordinated bi-monthly Esri instructor-led training for HUD staff.

Fellow

I used Python and ArcGIS Pro to perform spatial analysis and write or contribute to the following articles:

• Performed spatial analysis to assess the distance-weighted supply and demand of childcare seats for students attending District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and charter schools in the Needs assessment of out-of-school time programs in the District of Columbia. This work was also used for a Chart of the week: D.C. children face unequal access to out-of-school time programs.
• Increased transit delays in fall of 2021 and the potential impact on high school commutes
• Proximity to homicide exposure in Washington, D.C., 2021. This article was referenced on TV by WUSA9, and online by The Washington Post and Greater Greater Washington.

Adjunct Lecturer

I created the course content and taught the following courses:

• GES 600: Building Spatial Datasets
• GES 679: Leveraging Web Data

Housing Research and GIS Analyst

I collected, stored, and utilized data from a variety of internal and external data sources for reporting on DHCD programs and housing & market conditions in Maryland. I responded to ad-hoc information requests from the Maryland General Assembly and other requestors. I migrated data from various databases and spreadsheets into a central Access database system.

Special Projects

• I mapped Maryland's 149 Opportunity Zones
• Rural Broadband Asset Mapping and Inventory

Regular Reports

• Housing Beat
• Foreclosure Events
• Foreclosure Hot Spots

GIS Analyst

I worked on a variety of projects and delivered products to several different clients:

• Used MicroStation and ArcGIS to produce LiDAR and breakline datasets for the United States Geological Survey.
• Performed analysis and reporting for PaintCare, a nonprofit that places paint collection centers in communities.
• Performed task management of six analysts assessing over 3,000 miles of riverine engineering studies in support of FEMA's Coordinated Needs Management Strategy (CNMS) program.
• Performed QA/QC support to data collected in the field following the 2016 Louisiana Floods.
• On behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Service, I remapped 30 "units" and identified five new "units" of the Coastal Barrier Resources System in central Long Island, New York. These maps were signed into law in November 2024 with the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act (BEACH Act) (Pub. L. 118-117).
• Digitized and updated to new imagery all 21 "units" in Louisiana of the Coastal Barrier Resource System - maps are availble online.
• Processed Letters of Map Amendments (LOMAs) on behalf of FEMA.