Helga Rivas

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rivas and the second or maternal family name is Ardila.

Helga María Rivas Ardila (born September 6, 1969) is a Colombian architect, researcher and specialist in urban design who served as Acting Director General of the SNGRD (National Urban Development Commission) from February to March 2024, and as Secretary of Habitat and Housing of Bogotá from 2014 to 2016 during Gustavo Petro's mayoral term. Since 2024, she has served as Minister of Housing, City and Territory.^[1][2][3]

Helga Rivas
Official portrait, 2024
Minister of Housing, City and Territory
Incumbent
Assumed office July 23, 2024
President	Gustavo Petro
Preceded by	Catalina Velasco
General Director of the SNGRD
In office February 28, 2024 – March 11, 2024
President	Gustavo Petro
Preceded by	Olmedo López
Succeeded by	Carlos Alberto Carrillo
Secretary of Habitad and Housing
In office October 17, 2014 – January 1, 2016
Mayor	Gustavo Petro
Preceded by	María Mercedes Maldonado
Succeeded by	María Carolina Castillo
Personal details
Born	Helga María Rivas Ardila (1969-09-06) September 6, 1969 (age 55) Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
Political party	Humane Colombia (2011-present)
Other political affiliations	Historic Pact for Colombia (2020-present)
Alma mater	University of the Andes

Born in Bogotá, D.C., Rivas studied architecture at the University of the Andes and later specialized in Urban Design. She has been one of the most important figures within the Petro administration at the Ministry of Housing, City and Territory.^[4][5]