April 21-25, 2025, is recognized as National Community Development Week, highlighting the importance of community development in supporting strong and resilient neighborhoods. These initiatives are designed to improve quality of life, promote economic stability, and encourage social connections within communities.
Helen Guzzo serves as the Community Development Manager for the City of Battle Creek. She leads the city’s administration of federal programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME). Her responsibilities also include overseeing Lead Hazard Remediation Programs, managing the Battle Creek Public Schools Housing Incentive Program, and supporting Neighborhood Planning Councils.
Guzzo is involved in several boards focused on affordable housing, including serving with the Battle Creek Housing Commission, Village of Mill Creek, and Housing Solutions Board. She began her current position in September 2023 after previously working for the city from 2014 to 2017 as a community development specialist. Before returning to this field, she managed Calhoun County Senior Services for six years.
Her educational background includes a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Michigan State University. Her professional experience extends to roles such as executive director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness in Lansing and program specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C.
A resident of Battle Creek since 1997, Guzzo lives with her husband Ed Guzzo and has two adult daughters residing in Iowa and Hawaii. She was born in Flint and raised in Lapeer.
The community development team under Guzzo consists of seven staff members: three construction specialists or lead inspectors who collaborate with contractors on home repair and lead abatement projects; an intake specialist responsible for documenting eligibility; a community development specialist ensuring compliance with federal requirements; and a lead programs coordinator managing compliance for Lead Safe programs.
“Helen’s dedication to community development and her efforts to improve the lives of Battle Creek residents exemplify the spirit of National Community Development Week.”
