Agenda

Day 1 | September 5, 2024

9:30 a.m. | Registration Opens

9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Welcome and Keynote Address

David Bennett, president, Centrant Community Capital, Raleigh
Samuel Gunter, executive director, NC Housing Coalition, Durham
Scott Farmer, executive Director, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh
LeVelle Moton, CEO and founder of the Velle Cares Foundation, Raleigh

12:15–1:45 p.m. | Housing North Carolina Awards Luncheon

Join us for the 2024 Housing North Carolina Awards luncheon. The 35-year-old Housing North Carolina Awards honor the very best in affordable housing development. Recognition is given in the following categories: Rental Development, Home Ownership Impact (Development), Home Ownership Impact (Rehabilitation) and Supportive Housing.

Stay tuned after the awards show for a special video celebrating the NC Housing Finance Agency’s 50th Anniversary.

Scott Farmer, executive director, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh

1:45–2:00 p.m. | Break

2:00–3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions

Understanding and Navigating the Multifamily Insurance Market

Owners and developers of affordable multifamily housing are facing unprecedented challenges obtaining and renewing property and casualty insurance. No longer contained to high-risk markets, significant premium increases and coverage limitations are impacting the development and operation of properties across the state. Our panelists’ discussion will examine the cause of these market challenges, how developers and investors are responding and emerging strategies for managing risk and cost increases.

Chris Clemmons (moderator), senior vice president, director of affordable housing, First Bank, Greensboro; Tim Morgan, president, Evergreen Construction Company, Raleigh; Nancy Pearce, risk manager, CAHEC, Raleigh; and David Robinson, risk advisor, Scott Insurance, Greensboro

Tim Morgan: Evergreen Insurance Presentation
Nancy Pearce: The Syndicator’s Insurance Perspective
David Robinson: Affordable Housing Insurance – What Can I Do About It?

Housing Credit 101

Want to learn more about the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)? Curious about the current state of the program and what lies ahead? Take a crash course in LIHTC during this session to learn more about the process, the players and the impact of this critically important affordable housing program.

Stephan Morgan, manager; and Chris Key, partner, Novogradac & Company, LLP, Atlanta

Stephan Morgan and Chris Key: LIHTC 101: The Basics

Hot Topics in Housing Credit Compliance

In this session, take a look at some of the emerging hot topics that are impacting compliance within the multifamily program funded by the NC Housing Finance Agency. Additionally, this session will take a look at the new HOTMA and NSPIRE policies, the Agency’s implementing of these new policies, trends and best practices.

Sandy Harris, supervisor of rental subsidy administration and activities, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh

Sandy Harris: Hot Topics in Housing Credit Compliance

Understanding Mortgage Loan Product Options

Join in to hear from industry investors themselves! Fannie Mae, FHA, Freddie Mac and USDA will inform attendees on mortgage loan products available for low to moderate income home buyers, to include underwriting criteria for the Community Land Trust, existing manufactured housing, appraisal issues, ADUs and more.

Jody Lovelace, area director, rural development, USDA, Raleigh; Robert Sowers, relationship manager, affordable lending account team, Fannie Mae, Washington, D.C.; James Hall, affordable lending manager, single-family mission and community engagement division, Freddie Mac, McLean, Va.; and Michael Wittman, credit chief and Benjamin Smith, senior tech appraiser, Atlanta Homeownership Center, HUD, Atlanta

NCDHHS Strategic Planning and ICCHP Listening Session

The North Carolina Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs (ICCHP) was created by executive order to advise the governor on policies related to housing people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, identify and secure resources, promote evidence-based practices and make recommendations for short- and long-term policy initiatives. This session will also be an opportunity for attendees to provide feedback to inform the ongoing work of the ICCHP.

Laura Hogshead, director, NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), Raleigh; and Josh Walker, Olmstead housing director, health equity portfolio, Office of the Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh

Laura Hogshead: North Carolina Interagency Council for Coordinating Homeless Programs
Josh Walker: DHHS Strategic Housing Plan

Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Development and Preservation

Rural housing markets are not one-size-fits-all. Affordable housing development in rural areas can pose different challenges and new opportunities. Join in on the discussion to learn a range of affordable housing solutions that work in rural North Carolina counties for homeowner rehab, rental housing and home ownership.

Shannon M. Pow, owner/president, Remnant Companies, Fayetteville; Matt Whittle, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne, Goldsboro; and Patsy Davis, executive director, Mountain Projects, Waynesville

Shannon Pow: Remnant Management Presentation
Matt Whittle: Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne Presentation
Patsy Davis: Housing is Everyone’s Responsibility

3:15–3:30 p.m. | Break

3:30–4:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions

The Latest in Fair Housing

During this session, learn the latest updates in the world of Fair Housing and key elements for practitioners, policy makers and advocates to consider as part of their work.

Lauren Brasil, co-director and managing attorney; and Peter Gilbert, supervising attorney, Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of NC, Raleigh

Lauren Brasil and Peter Gilbert: Fair Housing: Recent Updates & Hot Topics

Updates in Housing Counseling

At this annual gathering for the NC Housing Coalition’s HUD Intermediary Network of Housing Counselors, attendees will receive information about the new housing counseling VISTA program, HUD Homeownership Program and CMS development updates. Learn key updates on the HUD Intermediary Network and ask questions and share feedback on how to best strengthen housing counseling across the state.

Stacie Darden, deputy director and Hudson Vaughan, director of the Community Justice Collaborative, NC Housing Coalition, Durham; and Sherika Eskridge, housing program manager, Cleveland County CDC, Shelby

Hudson Vaughan: Combatting Displacement of Long-term & Low-income Homeowners

Sharing is Caring: Community Land Trusts and Shared Ownership Models

This panel will discuss shared equity models of affordable housing including community land trusts and resident owned communities. These models of affordable housing can increase the supply of affordable homes, keep existing homes affordable and empower residents. Panelists from rural and urban areas will discuss the policy of these models and provide case studies of successful implementation in North Carolina.

Sherry Taylor, executive director, Durham Community Land Trustees, Durham; and Mary O’Hara, executive vice president, ROC Movement, Washington, DC

Sherry Taylor: Community Land Trusts
Mary O’Hara: Preserving Affordable Communities Through Resident-Ownership

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Affordable Housing Programs

Join the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to learn about its Affordable Housing Program, including the grant funds available for down payment assistance and for development of multifamily and single-family affordable housing. Other FHLBank Atlanta initiatives and new programs that can be utilized to solve affordable housing issues in communities across North Carolina will also be discussed.

Maxima Sims, vice president, homeownership portfolio manager, Federal Home Loan Bank, Atlanta

Maxima Sims: FHLBank Atlanta Affordable Housing Program Overview

Annual Developers Workshop

This intensive workshop outlines proposed changes to the 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) and explains how applications for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits will be evaluated in 2025. Learn what you need to know to apply next year.

Tara Hall, manager of rental development, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh

Tara Hall: 2024 Developers Workshop

Fostering Relationships in Innovation for Responsive Community Development

Today’s housing challenges have expanded beyond the question of affordability alone. How can community organizations, financial institutions and public/private partnerships best position themselves to respond to ongoing and emerging market uncertainties? Join a panel of speakers from the OCC, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond to learn about the latest in policy research and creative initiatives to address the affordable and workforce housing crisis.

Erika Bell, community development regional manager, research, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte; Victor Galloway, community affairs specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Atlanta region; and Raymond Irizarry, community affairs officer, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Charlotte

Erika Bell: Addressing Affordable and Workforce Housing
Victor Galloway: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Affordable Mortgage Resources
Raymond Irizarry: Fostering Partnerships and Innovation for Responsive Community Development

5:00–6:00 p.m. | Networking Reception

Day 2 | September 6, 2024

7:30 a.m. | Registration Opens

8:00–9:30 a.m. | NC Housing Coalition Annual Breakfast

At the NC Housing Coalition’s Annual Breakfast, the Coalition will recognize outstanding housing advocates from the past year, preview one of its upcoming policy initiatives and host an interactive feedback session.

Ted Edwards, board chair, Samuel Gunter, executive director and Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, director of housing policy, NC Housing Coalition, Durham

9:30–9:45 a.m. | Break

9:45–11:00 a.m. | Breakout Sessions

Telling a Powerful Housing Story

Essential to having an impact on housing in your community is the ability to tell a story that cuts through narratives that become a roadblock to solutions. This session will focus on building narrative power by fostering greater public understanding of the root causes of homelessness and housing instability as we lay the groundwork for solutions.

Sarah Armour-Jones, deputy director, Housing Narrative Lab, Washington, D.C.; and Samuel Gunter, executive director, NC Housing Coalition, Durham

Sarah Armour-Jones: Telling a Powerful Housing Story to Build Support for Affordable Housing

Rental Preservation in Rural and Urban Markets

As affordable rental developments age, they are met with expiring affordable rent requirements, the need for rehabilitation and market conversion pressures. This session will explore programs, funding and strategies for preserving North Carolina’s affordable housing stock in rural and urban markets.

Randa McCauley (moderator), senior compliance monitor, rental assets, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh; Kristin Blum, program manager, Housing Assistance Council (HAC) National Center for Rural Multifamily Housing Preservation, Portland, Maine; and Mark Perlman, division director of equitable housing and community development, Wake County Government, Raleigh

Kristin Blum: Rental Preservation in Rural and Urban Markets
Mark Perlman: Affordable Rental Preservation in Wake County

LIHTC Equity Master Class

Come hear syndicators active in North Carolina take a deep dive into Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity. Panelists will discuss initial proformas, negotiating letters of intent, getting to closing, making the construction process smoother and hot buttons for upper-tier investors.

Mark Shelburne (moderator), housing policy consultant, Novogradac Consulting, LLP, Raleigh; Britni Grimes, director, acquisitions, CAHEC, Raleigh; Sadie Nott, project manager, underwriting, WNC, Durham; Jainesh Shah, director and co-head of financial management, RBC Community Investments, Charlotte; and Linda Hill, executive vice president, tax credit equity, Merchants Capital, Carmel, Indiana

Mark Shelburne: LIHTC Equity Master Class

Leveraging IRA Programs and Funds for Affordable Housing

From rebates to solar panels to energy efficiency repairs, there are a range of resources available to affordable housing providers, developers and individuals in North Carolina. Hear about new resources currently available or coming online in 2025 and how to leverage them for your program needs.

Lindsay Rosenfeld (moderator), senior policy and research analyst, NC Housing Finance Agency, Raleigh; Tracy Dixon, deputy director, State Energy Office, Department of Environmental Quality, Raleigh; and Melissa Malkin-Weber, co-founder, NC Clean Energy Fund, Durham

Tracy Dixon: Energy Programs Launching in North Carolina
Melissa Malkin-Weber: Solar For All

11:00–11:15 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Industry Update

The 2024 Industry Update will discuss housing policy and the political landscape, covering both what has occurred over the last year and what is anticipated in the coming year, with a particular focus on the potential impact of the November election on policy at the state and national levels.

Emily Cadik, chief executive officer, Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Michael Bitzer, Leonard Chair of Political Science and professor of politics and history, Catawba College, Salisbury

Emily Cadik: North Carolina Affordable Housing Conference Industry Update