2024 SCHH Agenda
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Opening Plenary Session:
1 CE
Title: Connecting the Dots: Tackling Housing Insecurity and Preventing Homelessness
Presenters: National Low Income Housing Coalition; Lamar Richards, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development; Robyn Hyden, Alabama Arise
Description: This session will focus on understanding the root causes of housing instability and developing comprehensive, collaborative solutions to address it. Panelists will cover a wide range of issues, including economic inequality, lack of affordable housing, mental health, and systemic barriers that contribute to homelessness. The goal is to prevent homelessness through cross-sector collaboration, support for vulnerable populations, and long-term solution' (Supported through a collaborative partnership with the National Low Income Housing Coalition).
Presenters: National Low Income Housing Coalition; Lamar Richards, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development; Robyn Hyden, Alabama Arise
Description: This session will focus on understanding the root causes of housing instability and developing comprehensive, collaborative solutions to address it. Panelists will cover a wide range of issues, including economic inequality, lack of affordable housing, mental health, and systemic barriers that contribute to homelessness. The goal is to prevent homelessness through cross-sector collaboration, support for vulnerable populations, and long-term solution' (Supported through a collaborative partnership with the National Low Income Housing Coalition).
1.25 CE credits - ''Lifting As We Climb:' Race, Gender, and Housing Justice Policies in the South Toward Housing Justice'
Location: Emerald AB
Title: ''Lifting As We Climb:' Race, Gender, and Housing Justice Policies in the South Toward Housing Justice'
Presenter: Shuron Jones, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel
Description: 'Lifting As We Climb' was the slogan for the National Association of Colored Women who championed rights for Black Southern women [since most Black women were relegated to the South at the organization's founding and until the First Great Migration]. This is what Black women did and still do: forward policies that benefit many parties and peoples. Black women are the one of the most impacted groups affected by housing injustice, and have utilized intersectionality and various other philosophies, strategies, and tactics to struggle for policy change to improve housing and life for all Southerners through policies like tenant right to counsel. Southern Black women have been involved in forwarding sound and robust housing justice policy – we will prove that Black women were and are at the forefront of housing justice work around struggles against eviction. The proposed interactive panel will serve as a historical and contemporary exploration of housing justice policy forwarded by Black women such as tenant right to counsel. The panel will feature Black women directly involved in the struggle for housing justice. Workshop participants will be allowed time for questions and answers, and will also receive post-session resources and guidance to forward their own housing justice campaign. Interactivity with the audience will be in the form of a question and answer period, and an activity at the beginning of the session requiring participants to name Southern Black women activists.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion; the participant will be able to explain the leadership role that Black women have played in advancing housing justice for all Southerners as they have struggled for housing rights. Upon completion; the participant will be able to relate the complex history of Black women being the most impacted by eviction and at the forefront of the fight to change this reality through policies like a tenant right to counsel in eviction cases. Upon completion; the participant will be able to define critical housing policies, such as a tenant right to counsel.
Content Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Shuron Jones, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel
Description: 'Lifting As We Climb' was the slogan for the National Association of Colored Women who championed rights for Black Southern women [since most Black women were relegated to the South at the organization's founding and until the First Great Migration]. This is what Black women did and still do: forward policies that benefit many parties and peoples. Black women are the one of the most impacted groups affected by housing injustice, and have utilized intersectionality and various other philosophies, strategies, and tactics to struggle for policy change to improve housing and life for all Southerners through policies like tenant right to counsel. Southern Black women have been involved in forwarding sound and robust housing justice policy – we will prove that Black women were and are at the forefront of housing justice work around struggles against eviction. The proposed interactive panel will serve as a historical and contemporary exploration of housing justice policy forwarded by Black women such as tenant right to counsel. The panel will feature Black women directly involved in the struggle for housing justice. Workshop participants will be allowed time for questions and answers, and will also receive post-session resources and guidance to forward their own housing justice campaign. Interactivity with the audience will be in the form of a question and answer period, and an activity at the beginning of the session requiring participants to name Southern Black women activists.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion; the participant will be able to explain the leadership role that Black women have played in advancing housing justice for all Southerners as they have struggled for housing rights. Upon completion; the participant will be able to relate the complex history of Black women being the most impacted by eviction and at the forefront of the fight to change this reality through policies like a tenant right to counsel in eviction cases. Upon completion; the participant will be able to define critical housing policies, such as a tenant right to counsel.
Content Level: Intermediate
1.25 CE credits - Connecting Hearts and Homes: Advocacy for Affordable Housing Solutions
Location: Coral A
Title: Connecting Hearts and Homes: Advocacy for Affordable Housing Solutions
Presenter: Vanessa Tate Finney, Collaborative Solutions
Description: Join us for an engaging session titled 'Connecting Hearts and Homes: Advocacy for Affordable Housing Solutions.' Discover tried-and-true advocacy strategies and emerging trends to drive change in your community. Learn how to effectively engage with policymakers, build powerful coalitions, and utilize media to amplify your message. This session will equip you with practical tools to identify key stakeholders, develop actionable advocacy plans, and leverage data to support your efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your advocacy skills and make a tangible impact on housing and homelessness issues. Let's work together to create a more equitable future!
Learning Objectives: Define and Explain Key Concepts: Participants will be able to define and explain key concepts related to housing advocacy and homelessness, including terms such as affordable housing, housing first, and chronic homelessness. Identify and Analyze Barriers: Participants will be able to identify and analyze common barriers to housing for homeless populations, including systemic issues, policy gaps, and social stigmas. Develop Advocacy Strategies: Participants will be able to develop and plan effective advocacy strategies to address housing and homelessness issues, incorporating best practices and evidence-based approaches.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenter: Vanessa Tate Finney, Collaborative Solutions
Description: Join us for an engaging session titled 'Connecting Hearts and Homes: Advocacy for Affordable Housing Solutions.' Discover tried-and-true advocacy strategies and emerging trends to drive change in your community. Learn how to effectively engage with policymakers, build powerful coalitions, and utilize media to amplify your message. This session will equip you with practical tools to identify key stakeholders, develop actionable advocacy plans, and leverage data to support your efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your advocacy skills and make a tangible impact on housing and homelessness issues. Let's work together to create a more equitable future!
Learning Objectives: Define and Explain Key Concepts: Participants will be able to define and explain key concepts related to housing advocacy and homelessness, including terms such as affordable housing, housing first, and chronic homelessness. Identify and Analyze Barriers: Participants will be able to identify and analyze common barriers to housing for homeless populations, including systemic issues, policy gaps, and social stigmas. Develop Advocacy Strategies: Participants will be able to develop and plan effective advocacy strategies to address housing and homelessness issues, incorporating best practices and evidence-based approaches.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - How Collaborative Leadership Led to a New CoC, Merger with a PHA, Housing Vouchers, & a 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
Location: Coral B
Title: How Collaborative Leadership Led to a New CoC, Merger with a PHA, Housing Vouchers, & a 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
Presenter: Dr. Michael C. Threatt, Troy University's School of Social Work & Human Services
Description: The presentation will explain how the collaborative leadership approach led to a strategic partnership between the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (SEACH), Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA), Collaborative Solutions, Dothan Housing (DH), staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Also, the presentation will explain how this partnership created a comprehensive 10-year Wiregrass Metro Area (WMA) Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, which includes specific goals, strategies, and timelines. The presentation will describe how the 10-year plan focused on special purpose vouchers (SPV) and SEACH becoming a Continuum of Care (CoC).The presenter will discuss the successful outcomes of the collaborative efforts, including the organizational assessment process conducted by the LIHCA and the recommendation that SEACH partner with DH and apply to become a regional CoC. The presenter will discuss how this successful outcome resulted in SEACH becoming a HUD-approved CoC, now known as AL-508 (Wiregrass CoC), covering the same five counties in the WMA as DH’s Wiregrass Regional Voucher Program (WRVP).The presenter will illustrate how collaborative leadership will allow DH to use its MTW flexibility under local non-traditional activities for rental subsidy programs like rapid rehousing, supportive services such as homeless outreach and homeless counseling, and affordable housing development programs to purchase motels for permanent supportive housing. The presentation will elaborate on the significance of collaboration between a CoC and PHA to bridge the gap between homelessness and housing that can be replicated in any community.The presenter will facilitate an energetic, thought-provoking discussion through active participation and engagement with attendees. The presenter will demonstrate how the strategic use of SPVs through collaborative leadership partnerships between the CoC and PHA can address housing challenges for vulnerable populations.At the end of the presentation, the presenter will facilitate a Q&A session. This segment is designed to ensure that attendees can seek clarification on any topics or concerns that may have arisen during the workshop. The presenter’s goal is to provide attendees who leave the session with a deeper understanding, a sense of connection, and a renewed commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in their communities.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will be able to explain the purpose of the Continuum of Care program. Upon completion, the attendee will recognize how special purpose vouchers can be used strategically with CoCs to provide rental assistance to special populations to advance a community’s plan to end homelessness. Upon completion, the attendee will express why PHA staff should serve on the CoC board or steering committee.
Content Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Dr. Michael C. Threatt, Troy University's School of Social Work & Human Services
Description: The presentation will explain how the collaborative leadership approach led to a strategic partnership between the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (SEACH), Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA), Collaborative Solutions, Dothan Housing (DH), staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Also, the presentation will explain how this partnership created a comprehensive 10-year Wiregrass Metro Area (WMA) Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, which includes specific goals, strategies, and timelines. The presentation will describe how the 10-year plan focused on special purpose vouchers (SPV) and SEACH becoming a Continuum of Care (CoC).The presenter will discuss the successful outcomes of the collaborative efforts, including the organizational assessment process conducted by the LIHCA and the recommendation that SEACH partner with DH and apply to become a regional CoC. The presenter will discuss how this successful outcome resulted in SEACH becoming a HUD-approved CoC, now known as AL-508 (Wiregrass CoC), covering the same five counties in the WMA as DH’s Wiregrass Regional Voucher Program (WRVP).The presenter will illustrate how collaborative leadership will allow DH to use its MTW flexibility under local non-traditional activities for rental subsidy programs like rapid rehousing, supportive services such as homeless outreach and homeless counseling, and affordable housing development programs to purchase motels for permanent supportive housing. The presentation will elaborate on the significance of collaboration between a CoC and PHA to bridge the gap between homelessness and housing that can be replicated in any community.The presenter will facilitate an energetic, thought-provoking discussion through active participation and engagement with attendees. The presenter will demonstrate how the strategic use of SPVs through collaborative leadership partnerships between the CoC and PHA can address housing challenges for vulnerable populations.At the end of the presentation, the presenter will facilitate a Q&A session. This segment is designed to ensure that attendees can seek clarification on any topics or concerns that may have arisen during the workshop. The presenter’s goal is to provide attendees who leave the session with a deeper understanding, a sense of connection, and a renewed commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in their communities.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will be able to explain the purpose of the Continuum of Care program. Upon completion, the attendee will recognize how special purpose vouchers can be used strategically with CoCs to provide rental assistance to special populations to advance a community’s plan to end homelessness. Upon completion, the attendee will express why PHA staff should serve on the CoC board or steering committee.
Content Level: Intermediate
1.25 CE credits - Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking through financial empowerment
Location: Emerald C
Title: Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking through financial empowerment
Presenters: Amy Barrow, United Way of Greater Atlanta; Ashley Williams, Promise Place
Description: According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, financial abuse affects a significant number of women who experience physical abuse, with 73% reporting that their abusers forcibly took money from them. Financial abuse is a prevalent tactic in both domestic violence and human trafficking, used by perpetrators to assert control over their victims. Even after survivors escape abusive situations, the impact of financial abuse can be enduring. Many face damaged credit, substantial legal and medical expenses, and gaps in employment history, which hinder their financial stability and independence. This lack of stability often leads survivors back to their abusers, presenting a major obstacle to safety for both domestic violence and trafficking survivors.
This workshop is aimed primarily at nonprofit professionals and others interested in the field, providing an introduction to direct cash transfer programs and guidance on how to launch their own pilot initiatives. The workshop's objective is twofold: to raise awareness about financial empowerment strategies and to facilitate the implementation of cash transfer programs. These programs are fundamentally designed to alleviate poverty. Research shows that victims typically attempt to leave their abusers seven times before achieving permanent separation, often due to financial dependence and basic needs insecurity. By improving household economic conditions, cash transfers can reduce the likelihood of survivors returning to abusive situations.
Cash transfer programs have been successfully implemented in marginalized communities worldwide due to their cost-effectiveness and scalability. United Way's unrestricted cash transfer program for survivors has demonstrated significant success in empowering survivors to regain control over their financial well-being and pursue their wealth-building goals.
Learning Objectives: Participants will demonstrate knowledge of the basics of cash transfer programs, how they work, and why they are emerging best practice in survivor work. Participants will identify options to pilot their own cash transfer program and have the opportunity to ask specific questions about piloting. Participants will be able to describe and have a beginner's level understanding of the connection between physical violence and financial abuse.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Amy Barrow, United Way of Greater Atlanta; Ashley Williams, Promise Place
Description: According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, financial abuse affects a significant number of women who experience physical abuse, with 73% reporting that their abusers forcibly took money from them. Financial abuse is a prevalent tactic in both domestic violence and human trafficking, used by perpetrators to assert control over their victims. Even after survivors escape abusive situations, the impact of financial abuse can be enduring. Many face damaged credit, substantial legal and medical expenses, and gaps in employment history, which hinder their financial stability and independence. This lack of stability often leads survivors back to their abusers, presenting a major obstacle to safety for both domestic violence and trafficking survivors.
This workshop is aimed primarily at nonprofit professionals and others interested in the field, providing an introduction to direct cash transfer programs and guidance on how to launch their own pilot initiatives. The workshop's objective is twofold: to raise awareness about financial empowerment strategies and to facilitate the implementation of cash transfer programs. These programs are fundamentally designed to alleviate poverty. Research shows that victims typically attempt to leave their abusers seven times before achieving permanent separation, often due to financial dependence and basic needs insecurity. By improving household economic conditions, cash transfers can reduce the likelihood of survivors returning to abusive situations.
Cash transfer programs have been successfully implemented in marginalized communities worldwide due to their cost-effectiveness and scalability. United Way's unrestricted cash transfer program for survivors has demonstrated significant success in empowering survivors to regain control over their financial well-being and pursue their wealth-building goals.
Learning Objectives: Participants will demonstrate knowledge of the basics of cash transfer programs, how they work, and why they are emerging best practice in survivor work. Participants will identify options to pilot their own cash transfer program and have the opportunity to ask specific questions about piloting. Participants will be able to describe and have a beginner's level understanding of the connection between physical violence and financial abuse.
Content Level: Beginner
Thursday, October 10, 2024 8:00am - 9:30am
Thursday, Opening Plenary Sessions
1 CE
Regina Cannon is the founder of ARC4Justice and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. She most recently served as Chief Equity and Impact Officer and Vice President of Housing Solutions at national organizations. She has dedicated her career to being a vocal, active leader fighting for equitable policies, systems, and institutions and addressing marginalization of people of color.
Regina has more than 20 years of experience leading anti-poverty initiatives addressing homelessness, supportive housing, organizational transformation, criminal justice reform, community capacity building, and youth leadership development. She leads teams at ARC4Justice and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to embed racial equity principles in funding guidelines, housing policies, practices, and services. Regina conceptualized and launched a new HUD Initiative for Continua of Care focused on reimagining Coordinated Entry Systems that achieve racial justice. She and her teams also work one on one with organizations and community coalitions across the country to develop strategic goals centered in equity and justice and accountability policies to ensure those goals are met.
Previously, Regina was Southeast Director for Corporation for Supportive Housing where she worked with communities to transform systems of care into data-informed and performance-driven systems that provide safe, sustainable housing to those experiencing homelessness. She managed a large portfolio of initiatives across multiple sectors including Frequent User Service Enhancement (FUSE) Initiatives with health care and criminal justice partners, Moving On with public housing authorities, and Supportive Housing Development with non-profit organizations and local developers. Regina has developed and managed Mental Health and Drug Court programs as well as Restorative Justice Board programs for young adults engaged with the criminal justice system. Her work with youth and young adults is extensive. Regina created youth internships and trained youth in Kingian Nonviolence and Community Organizing across the United States and on the African continent. In 2019, she was selected as an Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Class 11 Fellow. Regina was an Assistant Professor at Bennett College and Adjunct professor at North Carolina A&T University. She delivers keynotes on racial equity and justice across the country and is the host of the mini-podcast series, Morning Cup of Equity.
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate the concept of collective well-being: Participants will explore the vision of a future where everyone has access to what they need to thrive, and how this connects to living with purpose.
- Recognize the importance of inclusivity and belonging: Participants will examine the role of belonging in building a shared future, emphasizing the value of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.
- Develop strategies for co-creation and collaboration: Participants will learn practical approaches for co-creating a future through collaborative efforts, fostering bridge-building across communities and groups.
1.25 CE credits - Best Practice Housing Solutions & Preservation and how to replicate them in your community
Location: Emerald AB
Title: Best Practice Housing Solutions & Preservation and how to replicate them in your community
Presenters: Mariel Risner-Sivley, St. Vincent de Paul; Phil Hunter, Community Restoration Project
Description: Addressing homelessness and housing crises requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges both the complexity of the issue and the diversity of solutions available. While it's widely acknowledged that housing people is the primary solution, implementing effective strategies can be challenging. This session will delve into innovative housing solutions and provide practical tips for implementation tailored to your community and the populations you serve.
Topics to be explored include:
1. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): This approach is proven effective for chronically homeless individuals with complex needs. Despite its effectiveness, PSH is often misunderstood or perceived as too complex and costly. This panel aims to debunk myths surrounding PSH and highlight its advantages and broader impacts.
2. Tiny Homes and Space Utilization: Tiny homes offer a unique alternative for individuals facing homelessness. This movement not only provides shelter but also challenges conventional ideas about housing and promotes a more equitable approach. The panel will discuss the potential benefits and challenges of integrating tiny homes into housing strategies.
3. Master Leasing and Subsidized Housing: Subsidized housing plays a crucial role in improving community health and well-being by making housing affordable for low-income individuals and families. The "curb effect" illustrates how affordable housing positively impacts mental, emotional, and physical health across communities. Despite these benefits, subsidized housing can face stigma and opposition. The panel will explore practical strategies for master leasing and subsidizing housing on a smaller scale, emphasizing the positive community outcomes.
This session aims to equip attendees with actionable insights and strategies to initiate or enhance housing programs in their communities. By exploring these innovative approaches and dispelling misconceptions, participants will be empowered to contribute effectively to addressing homelessness and housing instability.
Learning Objectives: Participants will recognize beginner level housing and housing best practice terminology. Participants will discover concrete and tangible best practice programmatic examples they can replicate in their own cities. Participants will distinguish permanent supportive housing, the tiny home movement, master leasing and small-scale subsidizing and discover why these programmatic structures may work for your community.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Mariel Risner-Sivley, St. Vincent de Paul; Phil Hunter, Community Restoration Project
Description: Addressing homelessness and housing crises requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges both the complexity of the issue and the diversity of solutions available. While it's widely acknowledged that housing people is the primary solution, implementing effective strategies can be challenging. This session will delve into innovative housing solutions and provide practical tips for implementation tailored to your community and the populations you serve.
Topics to be explored include:
1. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): This approach is proven effective for chronically homeless individuals with complex needs. Despite its effectiveness, PSH is often misunderstood or perceived as too complex and costly. This panel aims to debunk myths surrounding PSH and highlight its advantages and broader impacts.
2. Tiny Homes and Space Utilization: Tiny homes offer a unique alternative for individuals facing homelessness. This movement not only provides shelter but also challenges conventional ideas about housing and promotes a more equitable approach. The panel will discuss the potential benefits and challenges of integrating tiny homes into housing strategies.
3. Master Leasing and Subsidized Housing: Subsidized housing plays a crucial role in improving community health and well-being by making housing affordable for low-income individuals and families. The "curb effect" illustrates how affordable housing positively impacts mental, emotional, and physical health across communities. Despite these benefits, subsidized housing can face stigma and opposition. The panel will explore practical strategies for master leasing and subsidizing housing on a smaller scale, emphasizing the positive community outcomes.
This session aims to equip attendees with actionable insights and strategies to initiate or enhance housing programs in their communities. By exploring these innovative approaches and dispelling misconceptions, participants will be empowered to contribute effectively to addressing homelessness and housing instability.
Learning Objectives: Participants will recognize beginner level housing and housing best practice terminology. Participants will discover concrete and tangible best practice programmatic examples they can replicate in their own cities. Participants will distinguish permanent supportive housing, the tiny home movement, master leasing and small-scale subsidizing and discover why these programmatic structures may work for your community.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - LIHTC and One Non-profit's Experience Building Housing for Survivors of DV
Location: Coral A
Title: LIHTC and One Non-profit's Experience Building Housing for Survivors of DV
Presenter: Andrea Miller, ZeroV
Description: The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the nation’s most significant policy tool for promoting the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. This presentation will provide a brief overview of how the LIHTC program works, including the allocation process, financing mechanisms, and its impact on housing for low- and moderate-income households. We will explore the role of development partnerships and the journey of one non-profit’s experience in building housing for survivors of domestic violence. Participants will gain insights into how the LIHTC supports housing stability and economic mobility, as well as the potential for innovation within the program to better meet the needs of underserved communities including survivors of domestic violence.
Learning Objectives: Discover the Fundamentals of LIHTC: Participants will gain an understanding of how the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program operates, including the allocation process, eligibility criteria, and financing structure used to develop affordable housing. Recognize the Impact and Challenges of LIHTC: Participants will explore the economic and social impact of LIHTC in addressing affordable housing needs, while identifying common challenges such as property management, compliance requirements, and maintaining long-term affordability. Apply Best Practices and Strategies for LIHTC Projects: Participants will learn strategies to leverage LIHTC funding, form successful partnerships, and incorporate innovative approaches to meet the housing needs of low-income populations and underserved communities, particularly survivors of domestic violence.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenter: Andrea Miller, ZeroV
Description: The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the nation’s most significant policy tool for promoting the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. This presentation will provide a brief overview of how the LIHTC program works, including the allocation process, financing mechanisms, and its impact on housing for low- and moderate-income households. We will explore the role of development partnerships and the journey of one non-profit’s experience in building housing for survivors of domestic violence. Participants will gain insights into how the LIHTC supports housing stability and economic mobility, as well as the potential for innovation within the program to better meet the needs of underserved communities including survivors of domestic violence.
Learning Objectives: Discover the Fundamentals of LIHTC: Participants will gain an understanding of how the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program operates, including the allocation process, eligibility criteria, and financing structure used to develop affordable housing. Recognize the Impact and Challenges of LIHTC: Participants will explore the economic and social impact of LIHTC in addressing affordable housing needs, while identifying common challenges such as property management, compliance requirements, and maintaining long-term affordability. Apply Best Practices and Strategies for LIHTC Projects: Participants will learn strategies to leverage LIHTC funding, form successful partnerships, and incorporate innovative approaches to meet the housing needs of low-income populations and underserved communities, particularly survivors of domestic violence.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - Motel to Home: Addressing permanent housing and savings
Location: Coral B
Title: Motel to Home: Addressing permanent housing and savings
Presenters: Amy Barrow, United Way of Greater Atlanta; Mary Grace King, Frontline Housing
Description: Two significant challenges facing children and families are (1) stable housing and (2) the lack of an emergency savings fund.
Motels and extended-stay hotels, typically charging between $400 and $700 per week, often serve as a last resort shelter for families facing housing instability. While intended as a short-term solution, families frequently struggle to save enough to cover overdue bills or secure housing deposits, perpetuating their housing insecurity.
Forty percent of Americans lack $400 in emergency savings, while 69% have less than $1,000 saved. Alarmingly, a majority of those with less than $1,000 have no savings at all. The pervasive trend of living paycheck to paycheck affects over 75% of Americans, exacerbating the housing crisis. Many of the families we support hold jobs without benefits, making it challenging to build emergency savings. Even a modest amount of savings could greatly enhance a family's ability to weather unexpected financial setbacks. Such crises, often triggered by expenses as minor as $300 (like flat tires or medical visits), force families into difficult choices between paying rent or providing meals.
The Motel to Home Alliance addresses these issues by collaborating with existing community agencies to transition families from temporary motel stays to stable, permanent housing. Once housed families are provided with a tailored financial empowerment course, a financial coach, and provided with matching savings funds. Successful program graduates are permanently housed with a minimum of $1,000 in emergency savings!
In less than 18 months, the Alliance successfully housed over 1,000 families, with a goal to house an additional 1,000 families by June 2025. This session will explore the program's structure, partnerships, costs, successes, and challenges, offering insights on how to replicate such initiatives in other communities.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to describe the Motel to Home program. Participants will be able to Determine if the Motel to Home program would be a good fit in their community and learn the practical application of starting a program. Participants will identify the associated costs required to start a Motel to Home program in their
community.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Amy Barrow, United Way of Greater Atlanta; Mary Grace King, Frontline Housing
Description: Two significant challenges facing children and families are (1) stable housing and (2) the lack of an emergency savings fund.
Motels and extended-stay hotels, typically charging between $400 and $700 per week, often serve as a last resort shelter for families facing housing instability. While intended as a short-term solution, families frequently struggle to save enough to cover overdue bills or secure housing deposits, perpetuating their housing insecurity.
Forty percent of Americans lack $400 in emergency savings, while 69% have less than $1,000 saved. Alarmingly, a majority of those with less than $1,000 have no savings at all. The pervasive trend of living paycheck to paycheck affects over 75% of Americans, exacerbating the housing crisis. Many of the families we support hold jobs without benefits, making it challenging to build emergency savings. Even a modest amount of savings could greatly enhance a family's ability to weather unexpected financial setbacks. Such crises, often triggered by expenses as minor as $300 (like flat tires or medical visits), force families into difficult choices between paying rent or providing meals.
The Motel to Home Alliance addresses these issues by collaborating with existing community agencies to transition families from temporary motel stays to stable, permanent housing. Once housed families are provided with a tailored financial empowerment course, a financial coach, and provided with matching savings funds. Successful program graduates are permanently housed with a minimum of $1,000 in emergency savings!
In less than 18 months, the Alliance successfully housed over 1,000 families, with a goal to house an additional 1,000 families by June 2025. This session will explore the program's structure, partnerships, costs, successes, and challenges, offering insights on how to replicate such initiatives in other communities.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to describe the Motel to Home program. Participants will be able to Determine if the Motel to Home program would be a good fit in their community and learn the practical application of starting a program. Participants will identify the associated costs required to start a Motel to Home program in their
community.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - What We are Hearing: Understanding Housing Risks from Weather-Related Disasters
Location: Emerald C
Title: What We are Hearing: Understanding Housing Risks from Weather-Related Disasters
Presenters: Sarah Stein, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; Lauren Offenberg, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Description: Weather-related disaster risks have adverse economic impacts for workers, households, and communities across the Southeast. Low-income communities and communities of color tend to be at disproportionate risk to economic disruptions from weather-related disasters. This presentation provides the housing-related results from recent research surveying and interviewing professionals across the Southeast who work with or whose work impacts these marginalized communities. As part of a broader project built to understand the landscape of weather-related risk, responses featured a broad range of housing-related concerns. We provide insights into the potential role of community development organizations and resilience professionals in responding to these needs. In addition to presenting these results presenters will share how the Atlanta Fed works to understand conditions impacting communities, organizations, and households across the Southeast. We will also invite audience response and feedback that can improve our engagement practices.
Learning Objectives: Participants will discover recent Federal Reserve Bank research shedding light on the housing implications of weather-related disaster risks across the southeast, particularly among marginalized communities, discover how the Atlanta Fed engages in listening practices across the Southeast and how participants can become involved in that listening, and express insight and feedback that can improve the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's engagement on housing issues in communities across the Southeast.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Sarah Stein, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; Lauren Offenberg, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Description: Weather-related disaster risks have adverse economic impacts for workers, households, and communities across the Southeast. Low-income communities and communities of color tend to be at disproportionate risk to economic disruptions from weather-related disasters. This presentation provides the housing-related results from recent research surveying and interviewing professionals across the Southeast who work with or whose work impacts these marginalized communities. As part of a broader project built to understand the landscape of weather-related risk, responses featured a broad range of housing-related concerns. We provide insights into the potential role of community development organizations and resilience professionals in responding to these needs. In addition to presenting these results presenters will share how the Atlanta Fed works to understand conditions impacting communities, organizations, and households across the Southeast. We will also invite audience response and feedback that can improve our engagement practices.
Learning Objectives: Participants will discover recent Federal Reserve Bank research shedding light on the housing implications of weather-related disaster risks across the southeast, particularly among marginalized communities, discover how the Atlanta Fed engages in listening practices across the Southeast and how participants can become involved in that listening, and express insight and feedback that can improve the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's engagement on housing issues in communities across the Southeast.
Content Level: Beginner
0 CE credits - Helping the Missing Middle upstream. The key to reduce eviction cost-effectively.
Location: Emerald AB
Title: Helping the Missing Middle upstream. The key to reduce eviction cost-effectively.
Presenter: Shin Inoue, The Flagstone Initiative
Description: As a nation, we wait to help until problems are big and expensive. Most current efforts to fight eviction and homelessness are downstream, costly reactions once housing has already been lost. For the 42 million people rent-burdened in America, housing is challenging – yet we don't help until a crisis like eviction. Living paycheck to paycheck with no savings, coupled with rising rents, makes it extremely difficult to pay rent on-time every month. Housing becomes unaffordable when renters facing these challenges experience a financial shock. These renters have no cushion when shocks happen, and no help before they hit a crisis. The idea is to go upstream to provide financial stability programs to help before their problems get big and keep their housing more affordable. First, we will discuss why our nation is reactive rather than proactive in addressing the eviction and homeless crises. Second, we will review some of these upstream prevention programs and develop a framework for analyzing their ROI: Rent Splitting: The option to pay half of rent on the 1st and half on the 15th. Residents can split rent with no fees, and no registration, paying the same way they already pay. Eases tight cash flow and improves resiliency. Rent Loans: $500 no-fee, no-interest loans that go directly toward rent. When unexpected expenses happen, residents can borrow $500 and pay it back with manageable automatic repayments of $20/week for 25 weeks. Third, we will brainstorm other upstream programs and how to scale them.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to examine how the Missing Middle families are often ignored. They are working, but rent-burdened and living paycheck-to-paycheck. They are one shock away from eviction. It is this segment of the population we must focus on to substantially reduce eviction and homelessness. Participants will be able to analyze how specific upstream programs in helping Missing Middle families achieve more financial stability lead to lower delinquency, lower turnover, and higher satisfaction, creating a win-win for both residents and landlords. Participants will be able to apply specific financial stability programs focused on the Missing Middle families in the post-ERAP world (where rental assistance budget is severely limited).
Content Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Shin Inoue, The Flagstone Initiative
Description: As a nation, we wait to help until problems are big and expensive. Most current efforts to fight eviction and homelessness are downstream, costly reactions once housing has already been lost. For the 42 million people rent-burdened in America, housing is challenging – yet we don't help until a crisis like eviction. Living paycheck to paycheck with no savings, coupled with rising rents, makes it extremely difficult to pay rent on-time every month. Housing becomes unaffordable when renters facing these challenges experience a financial shock. These renters have no cushion when shocks happen, and no help before they hit a crisis. The idea is to go upstream to provide financial stability programs to help before their problems get big and keep their housing more affordable. First, we will discuss why our nation is reactive rather than proactive in addressing the eviction and homeless crises. Second, we will review some of these upstream prevention programs and develop a framework for analyzing their ROI: Rent Splitting: The option to pay half of rent on the 1st and half on the 15th. Residents can split rent with no fees, and no registration, paying the same way they already pay. Eases tight cash flow and improves resiliency. Rent Loans: $500 no-fee, no-interest loans that go directly toward rent. When unexpected expenses happen, residents can borrow $500 and pay it back with manageable automatic repayments of $20/week for 25 weeks. Third, we will brainstorm other upstream programs and how to scale them.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to examine how the Missing Middle families are often ignored. They are working, but rent-burdened and living paycheck-to-paycheck. They are one shock away from eviction. It is this segment of the population we must focus on to substantially reduce eviction and homelessness. Participants will be able to analyze how specific upstream programs in helping Missing Middle families achieve more financial stability lead to lower delinquency, lower turnover, and higher satisfaction, creating a win-win for both residents and landlords. Participants will be able to apply specific financial stability programs focused on the Missing Middle families in the post-ERAP world (where rental assistance budget is severely limited).
Content Level: Intermediate
1.25 CE credits - New Neighborhood: A place-based solution to housing stability
Location: Emerald C
Title: New Neighborhood: A place-based solution to housing stability
Presenters: Joy Monroe, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center; Amy Barrow, United Way of Greater Atlanta
Description: The New Neighborhood Initiative ( NNI) brings resources, events, and programming directly to residents in their apartment complex. The goal of NNI is to help families Thrive! We do this by creating resident-led events and programs that benefit the community. Programs and services - are brought directly into apartment communities for the convenience of residents who often lack reliable transportation and access to resources. NNI helps families stabilize their home environment by providing access to basic needs and resources while they participate in programs that are being delivered in their community. NNI helps families introduce themselves to next-door neighbors to strengthen their social capital and mutual community network. By bringing people and resources together, communities can thrive and be involved in making a sustainable, positive change to their community.
NNI was established to foster community engagement via resident-led activities across Metro-Atlanta. This program operates using a set of core principles:
• We believe families are empowered to help themselves and their neighbors
• We believe in incentivizing families to achieve their goals
• We believe in promoting goals with measurable outcomes
• We believe families should take charge of their own activities
• We believe families are the expert of themselves
This housing best practice session will discuss the innovative idea of community connections, social capital, and landlord/tenant engagement to create housing stability. When families feel more connected to their neighborhood and community they are more likely to lay down roots and create a longstanding and thriving relationship. When landlords are engaged with tenants 'beyond the rent check' they are fostering a mutual-beneficial community which may lead to prioritizing well-being over profits. This session will provide tangible tips and ideas to start a New Neighborhood Initiative in your community including success, challenges, and ways to engage landlords and leasing companies in a positive and impactful way.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, participants will show specific ways to engage with tenants to create and foster community in apartment complexes. Upon completion, participants will apply ways to center tenant voice in programming, highlighting tenants as the experts in themselves and their housing. Upon completion, participants will demonstrate tangible ways to approach landlords and leasing offices/companies to create place-based programming in apartment complexes.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Joy Monroe, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center; Amy Barrow, United Way of Greater Atlanta
Description: The New Neighborhood Initiative ( NNI) brings resources, events, and programming directly to residents in their apartment complex. The goal of NNI is to help families Thrive! We do this by creating resident-led events and programs that benefit the community. Programs and services - are brought directly into apartment communities for the convenience of residents who often lack reliable transportation and access to resources. NNI helps families stabilize their home environment by providing access to basic needs and resources while they participate in programs that are being delivered in their community. NNI helps families introduce themselves to next-door neighbors to strengthen their social capital and mutual community network. By bringing people and resources together, communities can thrive and be involved in making a sustainable, positive change to their community.
NNI was established to foster community engagement via resident-led activities across Metro-Atlanta. This program operates using a set of core principles:
• We believe families are empowered to help themselves and their neighbors
• We believe in incentivizing families to achieve their goals
• We believe in promoting goals with measurable outcomes
• We believe families should take charge of their own activities
• We believe families are the expert of themselves
This housing best practice session will discuss the innovative idea of community connections, social capital, and landlord/tenant engagement to create housing stability. When families feel more connected to their neighborhood and community they are more likely to lay down roots and create a longstanding and thriving relationship. When landlords are engaged with tenants 'beyond the rent check' they are fostering a mutual-beneficial community which may lead to prioritizing well-being over profits. This session will provide tangible tips and ideas to start a New Neighborhood Initiative in your community including success, challenges, and ways to engage landlords and leasing companies in a positive and impactful way.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, participants will show specific ways to engage with tenants to create and foster community in apartment complexes. Upon completion, participants will apply ways to center tenant voice in programming, highlighting tenants as the experts in themselves and their housing. Upon completion, participants will demonstrate tangible ways to approach landlords and leasing offices/companies to create place-based programming in apartment complexes.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - System's Opportunities for Change, Innovation, and Leadership (SOCIAL): Through a Leadership Lens
Location: Coral B
Title: System's Opportunities for Change, Innovation, and Leadership (SOCIAL): Through a Leadership Lens
Presenter: Dr. Kerry Littlewood, Collaborative Solutions
Description: Have you ever found it difficult to connect with social service systems outside of housing and found that you don't speak their language and that you're not quite sure how to authentically collaborate? Our clients often hit these same barriers when they need immediate services and supports. System's Opportunities for Change, Innovation and Leadership (SOCIAL) Initiative was designed to connect and link service silos for underserved populations in need of resources and support from multiple systems of care, such as housing, health, HIV/AIDS, etc. This presentation will demonstrate how the SOCIAL Initiative builds strong cross-sector, cross system linkage and coordination to improve overall health outcomes among underserved populations by educating, coaching and consulting with community leaders to apply an implementation-science based framework to promote transformational change in communities facing health disparities. Each implementation stage includes several tools to assess readiness, help build cross-sector, cross-system teams and linkages, explore problems deeply to identify root causes, co-create a theory of change, implement interventions and evaluate the work. These tools have been culturally tailored and implemented during the pilot and are ready to be shared with you during this presentation.
Learning Objectives: Analyze the Leadership Role in Driving Systems Change - Participants will analyze how leadership can foster cross-sector collaboration to address fragmented care systems and housing challenges faced by low-income populations. Identify Innovative Leadership Strategies for Housing Solutions - Attendees will identify innovative leadership approaches that enhance access to safe, affordable housing, particularly for underserved communities, including those impacted by aging, HIV/AIDS, and other systemic barriers. Develop Actionable Leadership Practices for Sustainable Change - Participants will develop actionable leadership practices that promote sustainability and resilience in housing systems, ensuring long-term positive impacts on low-income housing programs and clients.
Content Level:
Presenter: Dr. Kerry Littlewood, Collaborative Solutions
Description: Have you ever found it difficult to connect with social service systems outside of housing and found that you don't speak their language and that you're not quite sure how to authentically collaborate? Our clients often hit these same barriers when they need immediate services and supports. System's Opportunities for Change, Innovation and Leadership (SOCIAL) Initiative was designed to connect and link service silos for underserved populations in need of resources and support from multiple systems of care, such as housing, health, HIV/AIDS, etc. This presentation will demonstrate how the SOCIAL Initiative builds strong cross-sector, cross system linkage and coordination to improve overall health outcomes among underserved populations by educating, coaching and consulting with community leaders to apply an implementation-science based framework to promote transformational change in communities facing health disparities. Each implementation stage includes several tools to assess readiness, help build cross-sector, cross-system teams and linkages, explore problems deeply to identify root causes, co-create a theory of change, implement interventions and evaluate the work. These tools have been culturally tailored and implemented during the pilot and are ready to be shared with you during this presentation.
Learning Objectives: Analyze the Leadership Role in Driving Systems Change - Participants will analyze how leadership can foster cross-sector collaboration to address fragmented care systems and housing challenges faced by low-income populations. Identify Innovative Leadership Strategies for Housing Solutions - Attendees will identify innovative leadership approaches that enhance access to safe, affordable housing, particularly for underserved communities, including those impacted by aging, HIV/AIDS, and other systemic barriers. Develop Actionable Leadership Practices for Sustainable Change - Participants will develop actionable leadership practices that promote sustainability and resilience in housing systems, ensuring long-term positive impacts on low-income housing programs and clients.
Content Level:
1.25 CE credits - Community Voices: Leveraging Lived Experiences in Affordable Housing Policy
Location: Coral B
Title: Community Voices: Leveraging Lived Experiences in Affordable Housing Policy
Presenter: Lamar Richards, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development
Description: The time is now to employ the most innovative methods to curb long-term homelessness and housing insecurity. However, most research coming out of academic institutions and other organizations are not proximate to the unhoused and homeless communities. They study them but they do not speak to them, learn from them, or empower them. Our position is that the most severe emerging trends among this demographic first present themselves in the daily lives of the thousands of homeless individuals.
Created in 2022, the Community Voices program is a first-of-its-kind public policy training initiative designed to educate, prepare, and support individuals with lived experience with homelessness. Over the course of the intensive 10-month program, participants will be exposed to a rigorous curriculum that informs and empowers residents to provide critical perspectives in the crafting of budget and policy priorities. The program includes monthly meetings, training, career coaching, and mentoring. Participants
receive a monthly $250 stipend. Now in its third cohort, in 2025, the Community Voices Program will have nearly 50 alumni across the D.C. area. Despite the program being designed to teach and educate others, our ecosystem has also learned from the participants in the program. This session will offer participants the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to equitably manage a human services program and how to EARN lived experiences that can be leveraged in policy change. We will not only discuss the unique design of the program, and the upcoming phase 2 of the initiative (where we will begin to educate government officials on our learnings from the program), but it will also provide a glimpse into how human services providers can elevate the experiences of the unhoused and insecurely housed to pass effective policies in the wake of Grants Pass v. Johnson.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, participants will identify emerging trends among the homeless population, especially for human services providers. Upon completion, participants will utilize the design and implementation of unconventional methods of data collection. Upon completion, participants will recognize lived experience as data for policy change on the local, state, regional, and federal levels.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenter: Lamar Richards, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development
Description: The time is now to employ the most innovative methods to curb long-term homelessness and housing insecurity. However, most research coming out of academic institutions and other organizations are not proximate to the unhoused and homeless communities. They study them but they do not speak to them, learn from them, or empower them. Our position is that the most severe emerging trends among this demographic first present themselves in the daily lives of the thousands of homeless individuals.
Created in 2022, the Community Voices program is a first-of-its-kind public policy training initiative designed to educate, prepare, and support individuals with lived experience with homelessness. Over the course of the intensive 10-month program, participants will be exposed to a rigorous curriculum that informs and empowers residents to provide critical perspectives in the crafting of budget and policy priorities. The program includes monthly meetings, training, career coaching, and mentoring. Participants
receive a monthly $250 stipend. Now in its third cohort, in 2025, the Community Voices Program will have nearly 50 alumni across the D.C. area. Despite the program being designed to teach and educate others, our ecosystem has also learned from the participants in the program. This session will offer participants the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to equitably manage a human services program and how to EARN lived experiences that can be leveraged in policy change. We will not only discuss the unique design of the program, and the upcoming phase 2 of the initiative (where we will begin to educate government officials on our learnings from the program), but it will also provide a glimpse into how human services providers can elevate the experiences of the unhoused and insecurely housed to pass effective policies in the wake of Grants Pass v. Johnson.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, participants will identify emerging trends among the homeless population, especially for human services providers. Upon completion, participants will utilize the design and implementation of unconventional methods of data collection. Upon completion, participants will recognize lived experience as data for policy change on the local, state, regional, and federal levels.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - Either You're on the Menu or You Have a Seat at the Table: Why Voter Engagement Matters with Vulnerable Populations
Location: Emerald C
Title: Either You're on the Menu or You Have a Seat at the Table: Why Voter Engagement Matters with Vulnerable Populations
Presenters: Dr. Michael C. Threatt, Elevate Housing Solutions; Vanessa Tate Finney, Collaborative Solutions/LIHCA
Description: The presentation is a nonpartisan discussion of the Our Homes, Our Votes campaign for the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) through a partnership with the Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA). The presenters will discuss the difference between having a seat at the table and being on the menu for low-income voters in Alabama. The presenters will also discuss best practices for public housing authorities (PHAs), continuum of care (CoC) memberships, advocacy organizations, and other nonprofit organizations to galvanize nonpartisan voter engagement with their clientele. The presentation will discuss the significant cuts in federal spending for housing and homeless programs and the reduction in state budgets that have reduced resources, particularly in housing, homelessness, health, and other social services. The presenters will explain the role of organizations in ensuring that their clients understand the connections between homelessness and affordable housing and politicians who are policymakers.
The presenters will illustrate how the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) correlate with voter engagement best practices to ensure that voter suppression and voter intimidation in low voter turnout areas can overcome restrictive voter laws through evidence-based and best practices. The presentation will focus on vulnerable and disenfranchised populations, communities of color, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, individuals living with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence.
The presenters will discuss the official deadlines for where to vote and how to set up transportation for clients through innovative strategic partnerships. The presentation will discuss the solution to voting rights restoration for those with criminal backgrounds and how to overcome this challenge.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will recognize how to educate their clientele about candidates committed to affordable housing solutions and legislation. Upon completion, the attendee will associate the connection between voting and solutions to the affordable housing and homelessness crisis. Upon completion, the attendee will discover how to increase voter participation among voters in PHA, affordable housing, CoC memberships, nonprofit organizations, and areas of low voter participation.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Dr. Michael C. Threatt, Elevate Housing Solutions; Vanessa Tate Finney, Collaborative Solutions/LIHCA
Description: The presentation is a nonpartisan discussion of the Our Homes, Our Votes campaign for the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) through a partnership with the Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA). The presenters will discuss the difference between having a seat at the table and being on the menu for low-income voters in Alabama. The presenters will also discuss best practices for public housing authorities (PHAs), continuum of care (CoC) memberships, advocacy organizations, and other nonprofit organizations to galvanize nonpartisan voter engagement with their clientele. The presentation will discuss the significant cuts in federal spending for housing and homeless programs and the reduction in state budgets that have reduced resources, particularly in housing, homelessness, health, and other social services. The presenters will explain the role of organizations in ensuring that their clients understand the connections between homelessness and affordable housing and politicians who are policymakers.
The presenters will illustrate how the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) correlate with voter engagement best practices to ensure that voter suppression and voter intimidation in low voter turnout areas can overcome restrictive voter laws through evidence-based and best practices. The presentation will focus on vulnerable and disenfranchised populations, communities of color, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, individuals living with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence.
The presenters will discuss the official deadlines for where to vote and how to set up transportation for clients through innovative strategic partnerships. The presentation will discuss the solution to voting rights restoration for those with criminal backgrounds and how to overcome this challenge.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will recognize how to educate their clientele about candidates committed to affordable housing solutions and legislation. Upon completion, the attendee will associate the connection between voting and solutions to the affordable housing and homelessness crisis. Upon completion, the attendee will discover how to increase voter participation among voters in PHA, affordable housing, CoC memberships, nonprofit organizations, and areas of low voter participation.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - Housing Best Practices and "Ask HUD"
Location: Coral A
Title: HUD Programs and "Ask HUD"
Presenter: Kenneth Free, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Description: The session will begin with an overview of HUD and HUD Programs. Then the presenter will dive deeper into each program mainly focusing on Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD Continuum of Care, HUD Grant Opportunities and Affordable Housing. After the in-depth dive into each program, the presenter will engage the attendees with "Ask HUD". The presenter will take all questions from the attendees. If there is a lull in the questions, the presenter will have some prepared questions to ensure the total teaching time is achieved.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will recognize HUD federal government programs and how they can access and/or utilize some of the resources HUD provides. Upon completion, the attendee will identify examples of how HUD is working on addressing affordable housing across the United States. The will include innovative construction ideas, zoning laws and other aspects of building and maintaining affordable housing. Upon completion, the attendee will discover additional information with the opportunity for an in depth question and answer session, where the attendees can ask any questions they would like to the presenter. The session would be called "Ask HUD".
Content Level: Beginner
Presenter: Kenneth Free, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Description: The session will begin with an overview of HUD and HUD Programs. Then the presenter will dive deeper into each program mainly focusing on Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD Continuum of Care, HUD Grant Opportunities and Affordable Housing. After the in-depth dive into each program, the presenter will engage the attendees with "Ask HUD". The presenter will take all questions from the attendees. If there is a lull in the questions, the presenter will have some prepared questions to ensure the total teaching time is achieved.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will recognize HUD federal government programs and how they can access and/or utilize some of the resources HUD provides. Upon completion, the attendee will identify examples of how HUD is working on addressing affordable housing across the United States. The will include innovative construction ideas, zoning laws and other aspects of building and maintaining affordable housing. Upon completion, the attendee will discover additional information with the opportunity for an in depth question and answer session, where the attendees can ask any questions they would like to the presenter. The session would be called "Ask HUD".
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - Partnering for Permanent Solutions: Levels of Collaboration with the Rural Domestic Violence Peer Network
Location: Emerald AB
Title: Partnering for Permanent Solutions: Levels of Collaboration with the Rural Domestic Violence Peer Network
Presenter: Wyanet Tasker, Indigi-Ripple Connect, LLC
Description: The Rural Domestic Violence Peer Network (DVPN) was created to expand permanent housing options for survivors in rural communities. The distinct housing needs of DV survivors living in rural areas are compounded by the complex challenges faced by rural providers who are striving to meet these needs. Because there are aspects of housing development that are unrealistic or impossible without partners, colleagues are often the key in overcoming some of these unique barriers. Therefore, members of the peer network have spent the past several months engaged in relationship building on the regional, local, and individual level. In this session, a panel of Rural DVPN members will highlight collaboration strategies, as well as the benefits of collaboration throughout the housing development process. Panelists will not use slides, and audience questions will be encouraged throughout the panel to ensure an opportunity for everyone to engage in the discussion.
Learning Objectives: As a result of participating in this session, attendees will recognize the unique obstacles that rural providers encounter when addressing housing needs for domestic violence survivors, including resource limitations and geographic isolation, recognize the critical role that partnerships and collaboration play in successfully navigating the complexities of housing development in rural areas, and apply insights and approaches from the panelists to their own regional or local contexts, enhancing their ability to address similar challenges in their own communities.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenter: Wyanet Tasker, Indigi-Ripple Connect, LLC
Description: The Rural Domestic Violence Peer Network (DVPN) was created to expand permanent housing options for survivors in rural communities. The distinct housing needs of DV survivors living in rural areas are compounded by the complex challenges faced by rural providers who are striving to meet these needs. Because there are aspects of housing development that are unrealistic or impossible without partners, colleagues are often the key in overcoming some of these unique barriers. Therefore, members of the peer network have spent the past several months engaged in relationship building on the regional, local, and individual level. In this session, a panel of Rural DVPN members will highlight collaboration strategies, as well as the benefits of collaboration throughout the housing development process. Panelists will not use slides, and audience questions will be encouraged throughout the panel to ensure an opportunity for everyone to engage in the discussion.
Learning Objectives: As a result of participating in this session, attendees will recognize the unique obstacles that rural providers encounter when addressing housing needs for domestic violence survivors, including resource limitations and geographic isolation, recognize the critical role that partnerships and collaboration play in successfully navigating the complexities of housing development in rural areas, and apply insights and approaches from the panelists to their own regional or local contexts, enhancing their ability to address similar challenges in their own communities.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - Building Generational Wealth through Affordable Housing, Job Creation and Entrepreneurial Support: A Case Study
Location: Emerald AB
Title: Building Generational Wealth through Affordable Housing, Job Creation and Entrepreneurial Support: A Case Study
Presenters: Brian Giattina, Bessemer Redevelopment Corp
Description: Bessemer Redevelopment Corp (BRC) grew out of Giattina's passion to improve the quality of life in the area surrounding his company's manufacturing facility. His goal was to bring real investment to the community and use affordable housing and other community development tools to build generational wealth and improve lives in the Northside of Bessemer. Brian will lead participants through the short but impactful history of BRC, explaining their multi-faceted approach with affordable housing as the focus. He will examine the lessons that he, his staff and board have learned along the way, explore the various funding mechanisms they have utilized, and analyze the impact of the community development projects they have spearheaded and supported. Founded in 2020, BRC began acquiring blighted properties throughout the neighborhood. They removed 40 blighted homes, got rid of abandoned junk cars, and cleaned up vacant lots. They began providing basic home repairs to residents to improve the housing stock and help people stay in their homes while they fundraised to build new affordable housing. BRC provided a lab house for the Housing Authority's YouthBuild program which provides hands-on construction training for at-risk youth. They brought the successful CO.STARTERS program to Bessemer, an intensive 20-week entrepreneurial training class.
BRC helped the City and Housing Authority obtain over $750,000 in HUD funding to provide street paving, curbs, and sidewalk repairs. They installed a landscape buffer to screen the residential neighborhood from the industrial properties nearby. A subsidiary of BRC purchased the local train depot. They have stabilized the building and cleaned up the site and are fundraising to develop the landmark structure into a community center. Earlier this year, BRC installed planting beds at the depot site and provided a 20-week urban farming course which has already inspired residents to plant their own vegetable gardens. After years of hard work, BRC began construction of their first three new affordable homes in late 2023. They will be sold to individuals and families earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income and the proceeds invested back into the nonprofit.
Learning Objectives: Participants will identify Key Strategies for Affordable Housing Initiatives. Participants will analyze Challenges and Successes in Community Development. Participants will demonstrate the Impact of Holistic Community Development Projects.
Content Level: Advanced
Presenters: Brian Giattina, Bessemer Redevelopment Corp
Description: Bessemer Redevelopment Corp (BRC) grew out of Giattina's passion to improve the quality of life in the area surrounding his company's manufacturing facility. His goal was to bring real investment to the community and use affordable housing and other community development tools to build generational wealth and improve lives in the Northside of Bessemer. Brian will lead participants through the short but impactful history of BRC, explaining their multi-faceted approach with affordable housing as the focus. He will examine the lessons that he, his staff and board have learned along the way, explore the various funding mechanisms they have utilized, and analyze the impact of the community development projects they have spearheaded and supported. Founded in 2020, BRC began acquiring blighted properties throughout the neighborhood. They removed 40 blighted homes, got rid of abandoned junk cars, and cleaned up vacant lots. They began providing basic home repairs to residents to improve the housing stock and help people stay in their homes while they fundraised to build new affordable housing. BRC provided a lab house for the Housing Authority's YouthBuild program which provides hands-on construction training for at-risk youth. They brought the successful CO.STARTERS program to Bessemer, an intensive 20-week entrepreneurial training class.
BRC helped the City and Housing Authority obtain over $750,000 in HUD funding to provide street paving, curbs, and sidewalk repairs. They installed a landscape buffer to screen the residential neighborhood from the industrial properties nearby. A subsidiary of BRC purchased the local train depot. They have stabilized the building and cleaned up the site and are fundraising to develop the landmark structure into a community center. Earlier this year, BRC installed planting beds at the depot site and provided a 20-week urban farming course which has already inspired residents to plant their own vegetable gardens. After years of hard work, BRC began construction of their first three new affordable homes in late 2023. They will be sold to individuals and families earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income and the proceeds invested back into the nonprofit.
Learning Objectives: Participants will identify Key Strategies for Affordable Housing Initiatives. Participants will analyze Challenges and Successes in Community Development. Participants will demonstrate the Impact of Holistic Community Development Projects.
Content Level: Advanced
1.25 CE credits - Lessons From The Field: Designing, Funding, and Managing an Eviction Prevention Project
Location: Coral A
Title: Lessons From The Field: Designing, Funding, and Managing an Eviction Prevention Project
Presenters: John Jopling, Attorney; Ashley Richardson, MS Center for Justice
Description: Attorneys will provide a real life example of a state-wide eviction prevention project that was built from scratch in March of 2020 by the Mississippi Center for Justice in order to address the emerging flood of pandemic-related eviction filings. The presentation will describe the challenges of designing, staffing, managing and funding a large scale direct service project over the course of the last four years. Participants will learn about collaboration and innovative pathways to funding sources and strategies for avoiding or overcoming common difficulties such as staff burnout and unrealistic expectations. The presentation will be conducted as a conversation between the co-presenters, supported by a slide presentation and ample opportunity for participant questions.
Learning Objectives: Participants will determine the many possible components of an eviction prevention project, which ones are essential, which ones are optional, and how to tailor an eviction prevention project to a specific population or service area. Participants will examine current funding available to support eviction prevention work, how to connect existing work to the priorities of funders, and how to expand funding opportunities through partnerships with others. Participants will identify tools to avoid or overcome pitfalls commonly associated with direct service projects, such as unrealistic client expectations and staff burnout.
Content Level: Intermediate
Presenters: John Jopling, Attorney; Ashley Richardson, MS Center for Justice
Description: Attorneys will provide a real life example of a state-wide eviction prevention project that was built from scratch in March of 2020 by the Mississippi Center for Justice in order to address the emerging flood of pandemic-related eviction filings. The presentation will describe the challenges of designing, staffing, managing and funding a large scale direct service project over the course of the last four years. Participants will learn about collaboration and innovative pathways to funding sources and strategies for avoiding or overcoming common difficulties such as staff burnout and unrealistic expectations. The presentation will be conducted as a conversation between the co-presenters, supported by a slide presentation and ample opportunity for participant questions.
Learning Objectives: Participants will determine the many possible components of an eviction prevention project, which ones are essential, which ones are optional, and how to tailor an eviction prevention project to a specific population or service area. Participants will examine current funding available to support eviction prevention work, how to connect existing work to the priorities of funders, and how to expand funding opportunities through partnerships with others. Participants will identify tools to avoid or overcome pitfalls commonly associated with direct service projects, such as unrealistic client expectations and staff burnout.
Content Level: Intermediate
1.25 CE credits - Listening to Amplify: Local Voices In Affordable Housing Policy and Practices
Location: Emerald C
Title: Listening to Amplify: Local Voices In Affordable Housing Policy and Practices
Presenters: Emily Roberts, The Southern Economic Advancement Project; Vanessa Tate-Finney, Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama
Description: The Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) amplifies the work of organizations and networks to broaden economic power and build a more equitable future. SEAP focuses on economic security, health, and climate policy across 12 Southern states with an emphasis on marginalized and vulnerable populations. We provide communities with technical assistance, research support, and network building, while sharing concerns and obstacles with federal agencies on federal policy implementation at the state and local level. SEAP identifies policy priorities through community surveys, conversations with partners, and 1:1 interviews with leaders. Through these avenues, SEAP is learning about the unique challenges and opportunities faced by housing advocates, as well as people in need of housing, in the South. SEAP proposes hosting a listening session with conference attendees, co-hosted and co-faciliated with LIHCA. SEAP would like to add listening sessions to its portfolio of community engagement as we seek to better understand opportunities to engage with communities around affordable housing, especially in the rural South, and where we can offer our unique skillset and support.
This listening session will answer the following:
- Amplify successes and challenges specific to programs providing affordable housing and homelessness services in the South, with an emphasis on rural areas
- Learn from community examples and best practices
- Understand scope of relationships in local, state, and regional housing efforts
- Understand where relationships can be strengthened, catalyzed, and repaired
- Gather information to help inform policy conversations in 2025
Learning Objectives: Participants will examine successes and challenges specific to programs providing affordable housing and homelessness services in the South, with an emphasis on rural areas; Learn from community examples and best practices. Participants will analyze scope of relationships in local, state, and regional housing efforts; Understand where relationships can be strengthened, catalyzed, and repaired. Participants will describe research findings; Synthesize and disseminate research finding information to listening session participants.
Content Level: Intermediate
Presenters: Emily Roberts, The Southern Economic Advancement Project; Vanessa Tate-Finney, Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama
Description: The Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) amplifies the work of organizations and networks to broaden economic power and build a more equitable future. SEAP focuses on economic security, health, and climate policy across 12 Southern states with an emphasis on marginalized and vulnerable populations. We provide communities with technical assistance, research support, and network building, while sharing concerns and obstacles with federal agencies on federal policy implementation at the state and local level. SEAP identifies policy priorities through community surveys, conversations with partners, and 1:1 interviews with leaders. Through these avenues, SEAP is learning about the unique challenges and opportunities faced by housing advocates, as well as people in need of housing, in the South. SEAP proposes hosting a listening session with conference attendees, co-hosted and co-faciliated with LIHCA. SEAP would like to add listening sessions to its portfolio of community engagement as we seek to better understand opportunities to engage with communities around affordable housing, especially in the rural South, and where we can offer our unique skillset and support.
This listening session will answer the following:
- Amplify successes and challenges specific to programs providing affordable housing and homelessness services in the South, with an emphasis on rural areas
- Learn from community examples and best practices
- Understand scope of relationships in local, state, and regional housing efforts
- Understand where relationships can be strengthened, catalyzed, and repaired
- Gather information to help inform policy conversations in 2025
Learning Objectives: Participants will examine successes and challenges specific to programs providing affordable housing and homelessness services in the South, with an emphasis on rural areas; Learn from community examples and best practices. Participants will analyze scope of relationships in local, state, and regional housing efforts; Understand where relationships can be strengthened, catalyzed, and repaired. Participants will describe research findings; Synthesize and disseminate research finding information to listening session participants.
Content Level: Intermediate
1.25 CE credits - How Partnering with a School of Social Work & Human Services for a Resident Needs Assessment led to Grant Funding
Location: Emerald C
Title: How Partnering with a School of Social Work & Human Services for a Resident Needs Assessment led to Grant Funding
Presenter: Dr. Michael Threatt, Troy University's School of Social Work & Human Services
Description: In this interactive presentation, the facilitator will explain how the innovative public-private partnership between Dothan Housing (DH) and Troy University's School of Social Work and Human Services for the Getting Behind the Address Resident Needs Assessment led to self-sufficiency funding. The presenter will elaborate on how the needs assessment created a framework of baseline data that was used to secure the first-ever Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) grant of $87,000 and the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) grant of $188,000 for a total of $275,000 in grant funding. DH plans to apply for these same grants and use the data from the needs assessment to apply for other relevant grants. The presentation will elaborate on how the ROSS and FSS programs will focus on three key areas: Education, Employment, and Financial Literacy. Additionally, the presenter will explain how the assessment revealed that 78% of the residents identified education as a service need and that 68% identified financial literacy and employment as service needs. The facilitator will explain the paradigm shift of PHAs leaving public housing (PH) and converting to the RAD program over the past 12 years and discuss how the PH program did not address resident needs, especially for communities of color. The facilitator will also explain why PHAs should ensure that residents do not fall through the cracks and that every resident has a safe landing in the RAD program with self-sufficiency and programs for vulnerable populations. The presenter will discuss how this innovative best practice won a 2024 NAHRO Merit Award and can be replicated in other PHA or affordable housing communities. At the end of the presentation, the presenter will facilitate a Q&A session. This segment will allow attendees to seek clarification on any topics or best practices that may have arisen during the workshop. The facilitator's goal is to ensure attendees leave the session with a deeper understanding of thinking outside the box, how to partner with Schools of Social Work & Human Services for needs assessments, and how to implement innovative solutions for their property management and resident services through evidence-based practices.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will be able to identify challenges and barriers impacting public housing authority (PHA) residents in services to create a strategic plan for improvements. Upon completion, the attendee will relate how to utilize a needs assessment survey to identify housing authority needs and to provide a voice for impacting public housing authority (PHA) residents. Upon completion, the attendee will assess and analyze survey data collected to provide recommendations for areas of improvement and identify potential partnerships for positive community change between Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and Schools of Social Work & Human Services.
Content Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Dr. Michael Threatt, Troy University's School of Social Work & Human Services
Description: In this interactive presentation, the facilitator will explain how the innovative public-private partnership between Dothan Housing (DH) and Troy University's School of Social Work and Human Services for the Getting Behind the Address Resident Needs Assessment led to self-sufficiency funding. The presenter will elaborate on how the needs assessment created a framework of baseline data that was used to secure the first-ever Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) grant of $87,000 and the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) grant of $188,000 for a total of $275,000 in grant funding. DH plans to apply for these same grants and use the data from the needs assessment to apply for other relevant grants. The presentation will elaborate on how the ROSS and FSS programs will focus on three key areas: Education, Employment, and Financial Literacy. Additionally, the presenter will explain how the assessment revealed that 78% of the residents identified education as a service need and that 68% identified financial literacy and employment as service needs. The facilitator will explain the paradigm shift of PHAs leaving public housing (PH) and converting to the RAD program over the past 12 years and discuss how the PH program did not address resident needs, especially for communities of color. The facilitator will also explain why PHAs should ensure that residents do not fall through the cracks and that every resident has a safe landing in the RAD program with self-sufficiency and programs for vulnerable populations. The presenter will discuss how this innovative best practice won a 2024 NAHRO Merit Award and can be replicated in other PHA or affordable housing communities. At the end of the presentation, the presenter will facilitate a Q&A session. This segment will allow attendees to seek clarification on any topics or best practices that may have arisen during the workshop. The facilitator's goal is to ensure attendees leave the session with a deeper understanding of thinking outside the box, how to partner with Schools of Social Work & Human Services for needs assessments, and how to implement innovative solutions for their property management and resident services through evidence-based practices.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the attendee will be able to identify challenges and barriers impacting public housing authority (PHA) residents in services to create a strategic plan for improvements. Upon completion, the attendee will relate how to utilize a needs assessment survey to identify housing authority needs and to provide a voice for impacting public housing authority (PHA) residents. Upon completion, the attendee will assess and analyze survey data collected to provide recommendations for areas of improvement and identify potential partnerships for positive community change between Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and Schools of Social Work & Human Services.
Content Level: Intermediate
1.25 CE credits - Preserving Affordable Rental Housing in Rural Communities: USDA Section 515 Preservation Strategies
Location: Coral B
Title: Preserving Affordable Rental Housing in Rural Communities: USDA Section 515 Preservation Strategies
Presenters: Robin Wolff, Enterprise Community Partners; Kendra Home, Enterprise Community Partners
Description: Affordable housing preservation is the practice of safeguarding existing affordable housing units to ensure they remain accessible, livable, and stable over time. These units often have affordability and eligibility restrictions linked to federal or state subsidies, rental assistance contracts, or other programs. USDA 515 properties, which house vulnerable people in rural communities, are at risk. These properties began reaching mortgage maturity in 2015, but expirations will start to peak in 2028. This expiration is concerning because the majority of these units have rental assistance, which also expires. The average income of a resident of a USDA property is $14,000. The workshop will cover the specific challenges and opportunities in preserving the USDA 515 housing stock and help participants locate at-risk properties in their community.
Learning Objectives: 1) Upon completion; the participants will recognize the significance of the upcoming expiration of federally subsidized USDA 515 properties and be able to locate and identify properties in their communities. 2) Participants will discover the tools and resources available to preserve these units. 3) Participants will demonstrate understanding through an interactive Q&A session.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenters: Robin Wolff, Enterprise Community Partners; Kendra Home, Enterprise Community Partners
Description: Affordable housing preservation is the practice of safeguarding existing affordable housing units to ensure they remain accessible, livable, and stable over time. These units often have affordability and eligibility restrictions linked to federal or state subsidies, rental assistance contracts, or other programs. USDA 515 properties, which house vulnerable people in rural communities, are at risk. These properties began reaching mortgage maturity in 2015, but expirations will start to peak in 2028. This expiration is concerning because the majority of these units have rental assistance, which also expires. The average income of a resident of a USDA property is $14,000. The workshop will cover the specific challenges and opportunities in preserving the USDA 515 housing stock and help participants locate at-risk properties in their community.
Learning Objectives: 1) Upon completion; the participants will recognize the significance of the upcoming expiration of federally subsidized USDA 515 properties and be able to locate and identify properties in their communities. 2) Participants will discover the tools and resources available to preserve these units. 3) Participants will demonstrate understanding through an interactive Q&A session.
Content Level: Beginner
1.25 CE credits - Trauma-Informed Approaches in Domestic Violence Housing: Creating Safe and Supportive Environments
Location: Coral A
Title: Trauma-Informed Approaches in Domestic Violence Housing: Creating Safe and Supportive Environments
Presenter: Nasim Sarabandi, Collaborative Solutions, Inc.
Description: Trauma-informed care in domestic violence housing is not just a service; it is a transformative approach that can change lives. By acknowledging the profound impact of trauma and integrating this understanding into all aspects of service delivery, we can provide practical support to survivors and empower them to rebuild their lives. The fundamental principles of TIC, including safety planning, peer support, volunteer services, transparency and trust, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural, racial, and gender inclusivity, are the tools that can make this transformation possible.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the participant will be able to recognize how trauma effects survivors of domestic violence facing housing crisis, identify the basics of trauma-informed practices and strategies to work with survivors of domestic violence, and integrate trauma understanding into service delivery.
Content Level: Beginner
Presenter: Nasim Sarabandi, Collaborative Solutions, Inc.
Description: Trauma-informed care in domestic violence housing is not just a service; it is a transformative approach that can change lives. By acknowledging the profound impact of trauma and integrating this understanding into all aspects of service delivery, we can provide practical support to survivors and empower them to rebuild their lives. The fundamental principles of TIC, including safety planning, peer support, volunteer services, transparency and trust, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural, racial, and gender inclusivity, are the tools that can make this transformation possible.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion, the participant will be able to recognize how trauma effects survivors of domestic violence facing housing crisis, identify the basics of trauma-informed practices and strategies to work with survivors of domestic violence, and integrate trauma understanding into service delivery.
Content Level: Beginner
Friday, October 11, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm
Closing Plenary Brunch: Understanding Tenant Rights and Implementing Conference Insights for Empower
1 CE
Title: Understanding Tenant Rights and Implementing Conference Insights for Empower?ment
Presenters: Shuron D. Jones, Eviction RTC Enactment Specialist, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel; John Pollock, Coordinator, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, Dr. Rusty Bennett, Executive Director, Low-Income Housing Coaltion of Alabama (LIHCA)
Description: Tenant rights are a cornerstone of housing stability and fair treatment for renters. Given what we learned at the recent conference, it’s crucial to translate these insights into actionable steps to protect and empower tenants. This session will explore key aspects of tenant rights and discuss how to effectively implement conference takeaways to enhance tenant advocacy, education, and policy influence.
Learning Objectives: 1) Participants will be able to identify key tenant rights, including protections under fair housing laws, eviction prevention measures, and lease agreement terms, and explain how these rights vary at the federal, state, and local levels. 2) Attendees will learn how to create and implement effective strategies for educating tenants about their rights through community outreach, workshops, and partnerships with local housing organizations and legal aid services. 3)Participants will analyze the key takeaways from the conference and formulate actionable plans to engage policymakers, advocate for tenant-friendly legislation, and improve access to affordable housing and legal protections for vulnerable communities.