Housing Conference to Focus on Future

Office of Portfolio Management, Housing

Registration is now open for the Southeastern States Housing Conference! Hosted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, this event will bring together housing professionals all in the name of innovation! The conference is Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at the Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park.

Teams from approximately 13 housing agencies will convene to discuss credit strategies and policy issues that impact the affordable housing community. Participants will attend sessions specifically targeting the production and operation side of housing and portfolio management. They will also have the opportunity to share ideas with other attendees during roundtable sessions.

“Our goal is to focus on innovation,” said Jill Cromartie, Division Director of Housing Finance & Development. “We are learning from the past, assessing the present, and proactively preparing for the future of our industry.”

*CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Sunday, September 29 (Early arrivers)

  • 11 AM-2 PM: Conference Check-In
  • 5:30-7:30 PM: Networking Social (Happy Hour in Embassy Suites lobby restaurant)
  • 7:30 PM: Dinner on your own

Monday, September 30

  • 7:30 AM-NOON: Conference Check-In, Beverage Station 
    • 6-9 AM: Hot breakfast buffet for registered hotel guests 
  • 9-9:30 AM: Opening Address: "What is Innovation? How is it Defined?"
  • 9:30-10:30 AM: Innovation
  • 10:30-10:45 AM: Break
  • 10:45-NOON: Micro Construction & Finance
    • Moderator: Donna Tyler, DCA Construction Manager
    • Panelists: 
  • NOON-1:15 PM: ​Lunch
  • 1:30-3:30 PM: Tour: Awethu House via Atlanta Streetcar (Uber and Lyft are also options. Please wear comfortable shoes.) 
  • 3-3:30 PM: Break (light refreshments provided)
  • 3:30-4:30 PM: Innovation and the QAP
    • Moderator: Mark Shelburne, Novogradac
      • Presentation of each state's QAP priorities over the past 10 years
      • How to incentivize innovation in the QAP
  • 4:45-5:30 PM: Breakout Sessions: HFA Staff Only 
    • Production: Where can innovation be housed in the QAP? 
    • Operations: Is innovation measurable in Operations? 
  • 5:30 PM: Adjourn
  • 7PM: Optional Dinner Groups: If you are interested, please sign up at the Check-In/Information table.

Tuesday, October 1

  • 7:30 AM-NOON: Conference Check-In, Beverage Station 
    • 6-9 AM: Hot breakfast buffet for registered hotel guests 
  • 10:40-10:55 AM: Break 
  • 10:55-11:55 AM: Innovation: Preservation
    • Moderator: Jack Popper, DCA Policy Manager
    • Panelists:
      • Jill Cromartie, DCA Director of Housing Development and Finance Division
      • Sara Haas, Enterprise Community Partners
      • Amanda Rhein, Atlanta Land Trust 
  • 11:55-NOON: Closing Remarks + Group Photo
  • NOON-1 PM: Boxed lunch pick-up

*Agenda schedule subject to change.

A variety of additional activities also will be available for attendees to choose from, including discounted admission to Atlanta landmarks and dinner groups at select restaurants (all within walking distance of the hotel). For more information, email Tarron.Gibbs@dca.ga.gov.