Join us for the Florida Housing Coalition's 23rd Annual Statewide Affordable Housing Conference September 20-22, 2010 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando.

At this year's conference, participants can look forward to hearing from HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims. As an innovative leader with an exciting vision for the future of our nation's communities,  Ron Sims is nationally recognized for his work on transportation, homelessness, climate change, health care reform, urban development and affordable housing. As the second most senior official at HUD and head of HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, Sims is responsible for managing the Department's day-to-day operations, a nearly $40 billion annual operating budget, and the agency's 8,500 employees. Before joining HUD, Sims served for three terms as the King County Executive, the 13th most populous county in the nation and a metropolitan area with 1.8 million residents and 39 cities. Sims has a strong record on both fair housing and social justice.

Registration and further information to follow.

Below is last year's agenda. Look forward to more amazing workshops and presenters at the 2010 Conference.

2009 CONFERENCE - THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
FHC Conference Presentations

9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Fitting all the Federal Stimulus Pieces Together
Presenters: Wayne Finley, Kerri Stewart
Moderator: Wight Greger

The opportunities created for our communities by Federal Stimulus dollars can be transformational. Local government leaders and their partner agencies must take a comprehensive approach to effectively leveraging the various pools of funding and their related activities for maximum impact at the city-wide and neighborhood levels. This workshop will provide insight into what strategies some local communities have deployed to take advantage of the federal funding pools that have become available.

Foreclosure: Counseling, Loan Modification and Mediation
Presenters: Ned Pope, Frank Rubino, Bill Sanchez, Elvin Torres
Moderator: Arden Shank

Default and foreclosure is hitting many communities in Florida. Those organizations providing assistance to homeowners in trouble are stretched thin and often can't keep up with the changes in the marketplace and the law. This workshop will give providers the latest information on foreclosure prevention counseling, lender-borrower mediation, and loan modifications.

Green Basics for Florida's Affordable Housing
Presenters: Cathy Byrd, Bill Lazar, Kathy Malone
Moderator: Melvin Philpot

This workshop is designed for non-profit and for profit developers, and city and county staff to provide insight into how an affordable green housing project was planned and developed. How is a housing funder or developer supposed to know which projects are suited as an affordable green project and which are not? Panelists will provide insight as to the basic Green terminology, Green requirements related to several green standards, overall challenges and innovative integration with programs such as the neighborhood stabilization program.

Housing Finance: Part I
Presenters: Rob Dearduff, Louis Freeman, Nicole Gibson, Derek Helms
Moderator: Jeff Kiss

Given the number of changes to both federal and state affordable housing program over the last year, many non-profits want to know which programs can work for them and how can these programs be accessed. This session provides an overview of those affordable housing programs that are being funded including the Predevelopment Loan Program, the various Demonstration Loan initiatives and the Universal Cycle administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation as well as the Affordable Housing Program of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

NSP: Nuts and Bolts for Florida Communities
Presenters: Jackie Dupree, Karen Leone de Nie, Maria Ortiz
Moderator: George Romagnoli

The Neighborhood Stabilization train leaves the station here with this overview of the program and its momentous arrival in Florida. Get the straight scoop from HUD, Florida Department of Community Affairs, and recent research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and others regarding the status of the first round of NSP's $541 million Florida allocation and let’s take a look at the statewide competitively selected NSP 2 projects.

Preservation of Mobile Home Parks
Presenters: Chuck Elsesser, Alyce Gowdy Wright, Jaimie Ross
Moderator: Jaimie Ross

Mobile homes provide a critical stock of unsubsidized affordable housing in Florida for some of our most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled persons, and the extremely low income workforce. Community organizing has been the pivotal piece in a successful campaign to preserve mobile home parks in Miami-Dade County. This workshop will provide a case study presented by the community organizers and the lawyers working to preserve mobile home parks for the people who live there. In addition to addressing preservation locally, this workshop will also address state legislative issues for the preservation of mobile home parks.

10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Green Design and Construction
Presenters: Terrance Brady, Sharon Lee, Ira Locks
Moderator: Earl Pfeiffer
Novel ideas for affordable green construction have been on the rise. Green Design will be discussed along with highlights of several award winning projects. This workshop will explore changes in construction practices and materials to promote affordable green housing. The Green design and affordable housing will be discussed from various perspectives.

Housing Finance: Part II
Presenters: Rob Dearduff, Joe Glucksman, Judd Roth
Moderator: Jeff Kiss

Given the number of changes to both federal and state affordable housing program over the last year, many non-profits want to know which programs can work for them and how can these programs be accessed. This session will provide a panel;of non-profit and for-profit partners that have completed their developments using a combination of the financing programs previously described.

How Non-Profits can Survive the Recession
Presenters: Annetta Jenkins, Cynthia LaCourse-Blum, Terri Murray, Arden Shank
Moderator: Annetta Jenkins

Nonprofits are generally challenged to find adequate resources in the best of times. The last eighteen months have pressed even the most agile groups to become more resourceful---downsizing, jettisoning projects and making new alliances. Learn about some creative ways nonprofits have refined their missions. Discover ideas for new lines of business. Hear about lessons learned as groups discover survival techniques necessary to weather the future recession storm.

Mixed Income and Sustainable Communities
Presenters: Patrick Maier, Charles Pattison
Moderator: Ed Busansky

HUD 2010 budget includes $150 million for the Sustainable Communities Initiative to spur a new generation of metropolitan and rural efforts to integrate transportation, housing and land use planning and decisions in a way that maximize choices for residents and businesses, lowers transportation costs, saves energy and improves quality of life. The HUD budget also includes $250 million for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative to build on the lessons of HOPE VI. All of this begs the question- what are we doing in Florida to promote mixed income and mixed use communities in areas of opportunity? The panelists will include experts in sustainable land use planning and best practices for creating mixed income neighborhoods to support prosperity.

Rental Housing: A Look Behind the Numbers
Presenters: Bob Ansley, Stan Fitterman, Edward Sigler
Moderator: David Christian

This session uses the basic multifamily rental pro forma to illustrate and illuminate the effects various factors have on the viability of an affordable rental development, especially in this uncertain market. Issues to be discussed includes how requirements for extremely low income units affect financial feasibility, whether public funds should be deferred or direct payment loans, how insurance and utility costs affect financial feasibility, evaluating the purchase of existing rental units, and how banks view subordinated funding.

Rental Prospects from Multifamily to Supportive Housing Using NSP
Presenters: Hana Eskra, Jack Humburg
Moderator: Jack Humburg

Vacant single family houses aren't the only results of the foreclosure crisis. Banks have repossessed hundreds of multifamily properties from duplexes to complexes of 200 units or more. Rental housing might be the best option in meeting one of the goals of NSP which requires assisting households at or below 50% of AMI. Learn how to evaluate a rental property for acquisition and occupancy under NSP, analyze cash flow, capital and operating reserves, consider relocation constraints, and learn how to leverage NSP funding for multifamily preservation projects.

Shimberg Center Affordable Housing Data Clearinghouse
Presenters: Bill O'Dell, Anne Ray
Moderator: Bill O'Dell

The Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse provides free public access to data on housing needs and supply, assisted rental housing, and household demographics for cities and counties in Florida. The Clearinghouse is managed by the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida. Shimberg representatives will introduce the Clearinghouse and describe how local governments, nonprofits, state agencies and others can use the data to help plan for affordable housing needs.

Tenants in Foreclosure - Liability or Asset?
Presenters: Jeff Hearne, Purvi Shah

Foreclosure rates across the country are climbing to record highs. While much of the national discussion on foreclosures has focused on the plight of banks and single-family homeowners, tenants in foreclosed properties are quickly becoming the hidden victims of the foreclosure crisis. Tenants are often completely unaware that their landlord is in foreclosure until the utilities are shut off or the sheriff shows up to evict them. These tenants usually lose their security deposits and have a hard time finding a new place to rent on such short notice. However, when tenants are evicted from foreclosed properties, everyone including neighbors, banks, and local governments also lose out. Come to this lively panel to learn more about this growing problem and to discuss potential solutions, including the newly-enacted federal legislation: The Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act of 2009.

2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Considering Green Opportunities: Weatherization, Jobs and Funding
Presenters: Nelson Black, Janet Hamer, Paula Lemmo
Moderator: Annetta Jenkins

By examining some of the many opportunities to combine federal and state resources we can create the most opportune benefits for affordable green housing. Panelists will provide insight into these opportunities such as combining resources/programs for weatherization and jobs. In addition, information related to green affordable housing resources will be presented. Discussion regarding leveraging resources for affordable green housing will be held.

Creating Homeownership Opportunities with NSP
Presenters: Fran Pheeny, Yves Mombeleur, George Romagnoli, Gregg Schwartz
Moderator: George Romagnoli

Turning lemons to lemonade is a special talent but when NSP provides the sugar, foreclosed homes can be purchased and rehabilitated into home sweet home for Florida's working families. Finding and inspecting the homes, getting a fair appraisal, preparing the home for sale and making a deal and closing with a buyer are all challenges for all NSP recipients. Compare the progress of non-profit partner based programs and realtor driven purchase assistance opportunities. Find out what type of private financing has been available for purchasers through banks, FHA and community lenders and learn from Florida's pros about getting the right formula for turning empty houses into the fulfillment of home ownership.

Elder Housing: A Housing Blueprint for Aging in Place
Presenters: Bill Aldinger, Greg Rice
Moderator: Deana Lewis

Learn about methods for providing affordable housing to elderly households. The Housing Coalition has partnered with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in support of its Communities for a Lifetime Initiative (CFAL). This program helps Florida cities and counties plan improvements to benefit the lives of all residents, youthful or senior. Most recently, the Coalition has written an 'Affordable Elderly Housing Blueprint'; with specific guidance on how Florida's Cities and Counties can modify land use and development practices to facilitate more Elder-Friendly housing. This Blueprint, which will be debuted at the Conference, suggests improvements to local land use codes, comprehensive plans, current housing assistance programs and more. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) will be highlighted along with other examples of 'Elderly Housing Improvements' outlined in the Housing Blueprint.

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
Presenters: Ann Denton, Tom Pierce
Moderator: Jack Humburg

During this national recession, more households are experiencing strain on their finances and are lingering on the brink of homelessness, while others may have already undergone the experience. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes a $1.5 billion for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). The HPRP will help those at-risk of homelessness and those who have unfortunately become homeless. This workshop will introduce the HPRP program and include information on the requirements of the State of Florida's Office on Homelessness, plans for implementation at the local level, and samples of what has been done nationally by communities with similar rapid housing programs. Join this workshop to learn what innovative approaches have been developed to prevent homelessness and move households towards self-sufficiency rapidly.

New Opportunities in Public Housing and Section 8
Presenters: Roxanne Amoroso, Leroy Moore
Moderator: Sophia Sorolis

Learn how Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) can tap into federal stimulus funding to get new or stalled development projects going, including how to use stimulus funds as leverage in bond or credit transactions. We will also discuss new opportunities in the market to purchase market rate rental properties and convert into affordable housing.

Preservation of Rental Assisted Housing
Presenters: Hana Eskra, Ignacio Esteban, Stan Fitterman
Moderator: Jim Dyal

The workshop will cover the basic terminology in preservation and the timeframe and financing requirements for undertaking preservation projects. Participants will gain an understanding of how these deals were originally structured and the importance of the project based rental assistance contract. We will also review a case study and cover how HUD treats the purchase and refinancing of these previously assisted units.

Responsible Partnerships Between For-Profits and Non-Profits
Presenters: Bob Ansley, David Leon, Tim Morgan
Moderator: Bob Ansley

The buzz is 'Partnerships,' but not all partnerships are in the best interest of the nonprofit partner. This session is for non-profits and for-profits who want to explore the 'how-to's' of creating successful partnerships to develop affordable housing. Several topics will be covered in the workshop, including legal structure, IRS requirements, business relationship, capacity-building, and pertinent Florida programs with emphasis on enhancing the nonprofit’s capacity, production, and income. Panel members will provide examples of models that have really worked. Participants will walk away with specific tips and strategies on how to structure partnerships that are mutually beneficial for both the for-profit and non-profit and can be replicated in other communities.

3:45 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Fair Housing and ADA Hot Topics
Presenters: David Baade, Jack Humburg
Moderator: Jack Humburg

Learn about changes that affect fair housing and impact affordable housing. This workshop will review recent changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Presenters will also discuss the Obama Administration's fair housing priorities, and how they specifically affect affordable housing programs. In addition, participants will benefit from a discussion of architectural access. Changes from the 2008 ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) mean that more individuals now meet the definition of 'disabled' under ADA. Also of interest to housing providers are the changes to the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and related regulations which may soon become enforceable standards. This session will look at the impact of the proposed changes on housing providers. At a recent conference, Secretary Shaun Donovan pledged that HUD will make a major effort to promote and enforce fair housing laws. Presenters will discuss the Obama Administration's fair housing priorities.

Florida's Green Incentives and Policies
Presenters: Dan Haywood, Colleen Kettles, Alina Robau, Bill Simpson
Moderator: Sophia Sorolis

We know that Florida marketplace and public sector have been placing more attention on energy efficiency and green standards. To become further engaged in a green economy we need to be leveraging green funding and creating more opportunities for affordable housing. Learn of the number of incentives, policies, best practices and innovations that can be brought to your community.

Lobbying in the Public Interest: Leveraging Impact at a Time of Crisis
Presenters: Larry Ottinger
Moderator: Michelle Braun

This session will provide participants with tools and materials to deepen their understanding of why and how they can and must engage in public policy to build organizational capacity and impact. With the housing and related economic crisis devastating working families and communities, effective policy involvement has rarely been as important. If you're not at the policy table, you and your constituents will be on the table. Learn the why, the what and the how of effective policy engagement, and discuss together how through coalitions or individually our organizations can make a difference at scale with and for those we serve. Larry Ottinger is President of the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI), a national nonprofit organization that, for more than ten years, has promoted, supported and protected nonprofit advocacy in order to strengthen democracy and advance the missions of charitable organizations.

Making the Case for Investment in Low Income Neighborhoods
Presenters: John Talmage
Moderator: Michael Marra

This session will broadly address issues and challenges of developing affordable housing and its relationship to economic development. Social Compact is a non-profit organization breaking down barriers to private investment in inner-city neighborhoods. By applying its cutting-edge DrillDown methodology in communities across the country, Social Compact uncovers missed market opportunities and provides detailed neighborhood indicator profiles that translate into new tools to support economic development. Social Compact's projects are often undertaken in partnership with local leaders, community based organizations and financial institutions in the community development field. Hear about how other communities have attracted investment in traditionally underserved and undervalued neighborhoods.

Making Home Affordable
Presenters: Jose Parrilla, Elvin Torres, Stacey Walker
Moderator: Denise Freedman

Up to 9 million American families may be eligible to refinance or modify their loans under the Making Home Affordable program. The basic premise is to reduce monthly mortgage payments to a level the borrower can afford. This workshop will cover the three programs under Making Home Affordable: the Home Affordable Modification Program (FHA-HAMP), Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), and the Home Affordable Modifications Program (HAMP). Find out from representatives from HUD, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac how these programs work.

NSP Fine Print Land Banking, Lease Purchase, Long Term Affordability
Presenters: George Romagnoli, Gladys Schneider, Gregg Schwartz
Moderator: George Romagnoli

This session helps you avoid potholes as you navigate the program. Topics will include using data sets to select target areas, keeping the focus on neighborhoods and cluster development, land banking, lease purchase agreements, long term affordability, Davis Bacon compliance, code enforcement, and more about program monitoring.

5:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Florida Community Land Trust institute Networking Caucus
Moderator: Cynthia LaCourse-Blum
Presenters: Jaimie Ross, Affordable Housing Director, 1000 Friends of Florida
Gladys Schneider, Technical Assistance Director, FHC Director Florida Community Land Trust Institute

Florida's Community Land trusts have weathered the real estate boom and its down turn, but the goals and principles of the land trust model persevered. This CLT Caucus will bring together land trust organizations to brainstorm over today's challenges, which are obtaining permanent financing for CLT home buyers, transition from new construction to scattered site of acquisitions of foreclosed properties and finding operating dollars. Land Trusts can now seize a remarkable opportunity to grow Florida's inventory of permanent affordable housing through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, land banking strategies and historically high inventory of available properties on the market.

Affordable Energy Efficient Green Housing Roundtable
Keynote Presenter: Andrew Pauline
Co-Moderators: Melvin Philpot, Progress Energy and Brad Goar, Florida Power & Light

As a non profit developer, for profit co-developer, jurisdiction, lender, builder, or other entity, what would be on your affordable green housing wish list? What has worked in Florida and what is hindering Florida's affordable energy conservation and energy efficient green housing goals? Does Florida have an effective system and coordination framework in place to include all stakeholders such as our major utility companies, local jurisdictions, and the state in addressing affordable green housing via incentives, regulations, policies, programs and guidelines, especially in terms of energy conservation and efficiency? Are we prepared to incorporate federal stimulus funding as effectively as possible in affordable, energy efficient, green housing? This roundtable will provide a forum to discuss these questions and more. You are encouraged to share your local jurisdiction's policies and incentives as well as challenges in addressing affordable, energy efficient, green housing.