Monday, October 7
7:30–9:30 a.m.
Conference Registration
Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Bernard Robinson & Company, L.L.P.
Exhibitor Set-Up
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Welcome
David Bennett, executive vice president, Centrant Community Capital, Raleigh
Samuel Gunter, executive director, NC Housing Coalition, Raleigh
Scott Farmer, executive director, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
Keynote Session
Sponsored by AmeriHealth Caritas
Laura Clark is the president and CEO of United Way of Central Carolinas, leading the transformation of the organization’s community impact strategy to directly address the economic mobility challenges across the Charlotte region. Clark currently serves as chair of the Charlotte Branch of the Richmond Federal Reserve, is a member of the UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education Advisory Board and was named one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women by The Mecklenburg Times in 2013.
10:30–10:45 a.m.
Networking Break
Sponsored by RBC Capital Markets
10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
Housing Credits 101: Learn the Basics
The success of a Housing Credit development depends on the allocating agency, the developer, the lender and the investor. This session will clarify these roles, analyze a typical tax credit transaction and explain the reservation process and tax credit period.
Rebecca Darling, partner, and Chris Key, principal, Novogradac & Company, LLP, Alpharetta, Ga.
New Issues in Fair Housing Law
This workshop will review new state and federal proposals, guidance and requirements regarding housing discrimination. Find out how it will all affect your rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.
Jack Holtzman, senior attorney and project director, and Jeffrey Dillman, project manager, Fair Housing Project, Legal Aid of NC, Raleigh
Financing Energy Efficiency to Increase Operating Income
In addition to making properties more efficient, healthy, comfortable and affordable for residents, investments in energy and water upgrades can also enhance a building’s financial performance. This session includes case studies of energy and water efficient portfolios, strategies to identify investment opportunities and traditional and emerging financing options with lenders to finance efficiency improvements.
Bettina Bergöö, green finance fellow, Center for Market Innovation, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York; Laurie Colwander, director of multifamily services, Southern Energy Management, Raleigh; and Melissa Malkin-Weber, sustainability director, Self-Help Credit Union, Durham
Technical Update Session: Hot Topics in LIHTC
Whether it’s deal structures, Opportunity Zones, compliance strategies or exit negotiations, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) practitioners must constantly adapt in response to new ideas and external challenges. Join a panel of leading accountants and attorneys as they explore the details and practical implications of recent developments in the tax credit program.
Speakers to be announced
How Counseling Agencies Can Partner with Housing Credit Property Managers
Collaboration across the housing continuum is critical for the delivery of quality affordable housing and services and can help boost organizational sustainability. This workshop will explore how a housing counseling agency and a low-income housing tax credit property management group are partnering to better serve clients and residents.
Kerry Bashaw, director of community development, CESI, Raleigh
Partnerships, Innovation and Responsiveness with the Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) encourages collaborative partnerships between banks, nonprofits, service providers, government agencies, housing developers and other stakeholders in responding to the financial, credit and community development needs of local markets. Many of these initiatives are vital to the health and sustainability of communities and are helping to catalyze long-term positive change for residents and businesses. Join federal regulators for a discussion on partnerships and innovative programs, and guidance on how many may qualify for positive CRA consideration.
Genevieve Chow, district community affairs officer, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, New York City, NY; Jeanne Milliken Bonds, MPA, regional community development manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte; and Victor Galloway, community affairs specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Raleigh
12:15–1:45 p.m.
Housing North Carolina Awards Luncheon
Presented by the NC Housing Finance Agency
Lunch sponsored by CAHEC
The 30th annual Housing North Carolina Awards will celebrate the best affordable housing in the state. Don’t miss this chance for an in-depth look at housing that improves lives and strengthens communities, as well as special recognition of the Urgent Repair and Supportive Housing Development programs, both of which are celebrating 25 years of accomplishments.
2:00–3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
Annual Developers’ Workshop
This intensive workshop outlines proposed changes to the 2020 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) and explains how applications for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits will be evaluated in 2020. Learn what you need to know to apply next year.
Chris Austin, director of rental investment, and Russ Griffin, senior construction specialist, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
The Ins and Outs of Tenant/Landlord Law
This workshop will provide an overview of tenant/landlord law and highlight common issues from the perspectives of property management and renters. Whether you are a property manager or work in the human services sector, you’ll learn about important facets of the law that will help you be more effective in your housing-related work.
Speakers to be announced
Innovative Construction Training and Local Job Creation
As contractors and builders retire, the affordable housing industry needs to collaborate to train, mentor and support new workers as they develop or take over local trade businesses. Learn about construction training and business support programs that can help nurture a strong workforce to meet the state’s ongoing affordable housing needs.
Mark Wdowik, executive director of innovation and new ventures, East Carolina University, Greenville, and Kep Paylor, Director of Career-Technical Education, NC Home Builders Association, Raleigh
Health through Housing: North Carolina Impacts
Decades of research have documented the powerful effects of housing stability and quality on our physical and mental health. This session explores the impacts of North Carolina housing programs on individual and community well-being, as well as the cost savings that can accrue to the broader health care systems by addressing housing conditions to influence individual health outcomes.
Emila Sutton, policy and research team lead, and Erika Brandt, senior policy and research analyst, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
Home Ownership Programs
Following a brief overview of the NC Housing Finance Agency’s home ownership products and programs, you’ll learn about the new Closing Cost Grant Program, a program offered through Freddie Mac alongside the conventional NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ product, for low- to moderate-income home buyers.
Jane Cavanagh, training coordinator, and Bill Hobbs, lender liaison, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
Rural Housing Resources
Description coming soon
Speakers to be announced
3:15–3:30 p.m.
Networking Break
Sponsored by Hilltop Securities, Inc.
3:30—4:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
Creative Strategies for Overcoming LIHTC Hurdles
Every Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) deal is different, but the one certainty is that developers will face unexpected challenges along the way. Overcoming those challenges requires creativity, an open mind—and sometimes a little luck. Hear from a panel of LIHTC developers about how they kept their projects moving forward after unanticipated setbacks.
Speakers to be announced
Hot Topics for Housing Credit Management
Housing Credit property management is an everchanging field. Keep up at this session where you’ll learn about new IRS monitoring requirements, required lease addenda for tax credit and HOME, conversion of UPCS protocol to NSPIRE, updates to the Rental Compliance Reporting System (RCRS) and Income Averaging.
Susan Westbrook, manager of rental assets, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
Utilizing Local Affordable Housing Bonds
As property values and construction costs have increased in recent years, local governments have to become much more intentional about the creation and long-term preservation of affordable housing. One of the strongest tools available to local governments are affordable housing bonds. These require local support, which in turn requires communication, planning, designing programs and developing local partnerships to effectively utilize funds. Hear from housing experts from Greensboro and Asheville about their recent affordable housing bonds. The NC Housing Coalition will also provide an overview of affordable housing bonds in North Carolina.
Cynthia Blue, AICP, manager, housing services division of neighborhood development, City of Greensboro; and Pamela Atwood, director of housing policy, NC Housing Coalition, Raleigh
New Housing Services and Resources Through Healthy Opportunities
Discover how the state’s privatization of Medicaid will impact housing providers, housing support services and housing referral systems. This workshop will explore the new Medicaid Health Opportunities Pilots, 1115 Medicaid Waiver which includes new housing services, a new tenancy supports service definition and NCCARE 360 resource platform.
Erika Ferguson, director of healthy opportunities, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh; Emily Carmody, project director, NC Coalition to End Homelessness, Raleigh; and Morgan Forrester, community engagement manager, NCCARE360, Raleigh
Affordable Housing Toolkit for Local Leaders
The phrase “affordable housing” means something different to everyone who hears it, which can create confusion in public discourse. The NC Housing Coalition’s new “Affordable Housing Toolkit” was developed to bring a shared understanding of housing affordability to North Carolina leaders and citizens. This session will explore this toolkit and cultivate discussion around its uses in local housing advocacy and decision-making.
Samuel Gunter, executive director, NC Housing Coalition, Raleigh; Emila Sutton, policy and research team lead, and Erika Brandt, senior policy and research analyst, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
Underwriter Q and A
Everything you always wanted to know about how the NC Housing Finance Agency underwrites a loan will be revealed when you have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the underwriting staff. Staff members will answer questions about the NC Home Advantage Mortgage™, the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment and the NC Home Advantage Tax Credit as well as the Community Partners Loan Pool Program.
Amber Smith, loan underwriter II, Raj Patel-Howard, loan underwriter II, and Kim Hargrove, senior program compliance officer, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Sponsored by Stratford Capital Group
Tuesday, October 8
8:30–9:30 a.m.
NC Housing Coalition Breakfast
Presented by the NC Housing Coalition
Sponsored by BB&T
9:45–11:00 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
Funding Supportive Housing
Learn about the various funding sources available for the construction or renovation of supportive housing, including projects such as homeless shelters, substance abuse treatment facilities, group homes for children and adults and independent apartments. Funding sources described will include the NC Housing Finance Agency’s Affordable Housing Program, CDBG, HOME and private foundations.
Margrit Bergholz, senior support housing development officer, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh; Zelleka Biermann, housing development manager, City of Charlotte; and Walter Harrington, vice president, PNC Bank, Raleigh
The Power of the FHLBank Atlanta’s Products and Services
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA) has a suite of affordable housing finance and community lending products and services designed to connect its member financial institutions with business opportunities in their communities. Learn how the FHLBA member institutions can leverage the power of equity, the power to connect and the power of knowledge to further your business objectives.
Arthur L. Fleming, senior vice president and director of community investment services, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Creative Ideas for Developing Housing Stock
Come hear how the Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities initiative at NC State University College of Design partnered with the NC Coalition to End Homelessness on the “Micro Housing for Homeless and Disabled Veterans Project”. Learn about micro housing design approaches, successful case studies from around the country and how a North Carolina project, The Farm at Penny Lane in Chatham County, was developed. You’ll also learn how the micro housing concept can be replicated to serve any type of population.
Terry Allebaugh, community impact coordinator, NC Coalition to End Homelessness, Raleigh; Thomas Barrie, professor of architecture and director of affordable housing and sustainable communities initiative, NC State University College of Design; and a representative from The Farm at Penny Lane, Chatham County
Resources and Connections for Eviction Prevention
The role of eviction in perpetuating poverty has recently risen to national attention, largely due to Matthew Desmond’s book Evicted. Several North Carolina cities have ranked among those with the highest eviction filing rates in the nation. This session explores eviction prevention initiatives that are working to address this issue in North Carolina by connecting at-risk tenants to legal counsel and other resources.
Emila Sutton, policy and research team lead, and Erika Brandt, senior policy and research analyst, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
The State of “Aging in Community” in North Carolina
By 2030, approximately 30% of North Carolina’s population will be over age 65. Not only will affordable housing for seniors be a growing issue, but health decline brought on by social isolation will be a concern. Housing models must be adjusted to include not only design, but also systems of community supports to maximize quality of life and minimize medical intervention costs. Hear the latest research on housing models and see a case study from Durham Congregations in Action, which implemented a HomeShare program to lower costs and improve community.
Anne Glass, professor and program coordinator, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Mark Valletta, director of housing and home improvement, Resources for Seniors, Inc., Raleigh
11:00–11:15 a.m.
Networking Break
Sponsored by Bank of America Merill Lynch
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Industry Update
Sponsored by Hooten Construction
Emily Cadik is the executive director of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC), where she leads advocacy to support affordable rental housing financed using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). Prior to joining the AHTCC, she was senior director of public policy at Enterprise Community Partners, where she led policy and advocacy related to the Housing Credit and other affordable housing and community development issues. While at Enterprise, she served on the board of the AHTCC, chairing the legislative committee, co-chairing the marketing committee and serving on the executive committee since 2016. She earned a Master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.