Speaker presentations will be added to sessions as they become available.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
SESSION 1
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
What’s Next for Illinois? (Policy/Process Track)
Join practitioners leading the charge on state legislation and local advocacy initiatives for a discussion of the latest efforts on affordable housing policy and what to look out for in the coming months.
Moderator: Nick Brunick, Attorney, IHC Board VP/Legislative Committee Chair, Applegate & Thorne – Thomsen
Panelists:
George Dinges, President, Development Services Group
Andrew Geer, Vice President & Market Leader, Chicago Market, Enterprise Community Partners
Marisa Novara, Vice President, Metropolitan Planning Council
Jeremy Yost, HCM-HF, Vice President, Yost Management Company
Preserving Affordable Housing – Year 15 and Beyond (Development/Finance Track)
Join experienced affordable housing professionals for a discussion on preserving LIHTC housing that is reaching Year 15 and at risk of maintaining its affordability, the associated recapitalization issues, and how to plan for long-term success.
Moderator: Beth Demes, Executive Director, The Alden Foundation
Panelists:
Steve Gladden, Assistant Director – Portfolio Risk Management, IHDA
Nancy Morton, Member, Dauby O’Connor & Zaleski
Luke Patton, Project Manager, Brinshore
Bruce Schiff, Partner, CPA, RubinBrown
Doug Wilson, State Director of Illinois, USDA Rural Development
Mayors and Managers: Community Empowerment (Community/Local Issues Track)
A healthy housing market is essential to the overall economic prosperity of a community. Please join Illinois elected officials for a robust discussion on how to create opportunities and overcome obstacles as you plan for the future of your community and the residents who reside in it.
Moderator: Audra Hamernik, Executive Director, IHDA
Panelists:
Kristi DeLaurentiis, Executive Director, South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association
Honorable Kristina Kovarik, Mayor, Village of Gurnee
Honorable John A. Ostenburg, Mayor, Village of Park Forest
Kerri Wiman, Director of Neighborhood Services, City of Champaign
What IHDA Can Do for You (Development/Finance Track) – Extra Session!
From providing community revitalization assistance to helping struggling homeowners, IHDA makes it their mission to aid and stabilize municipalities and counties across Illinois. Learn more about how IHDA can help your constituents while connecting directly with a roundtable of staff and stakeholders about housing best practices.
Moderator: Debbie Olson, Assistant Executive Director and Chief of Staff, IHDA
Panelists:
Amy Bashiti, Community Revitalization Planning Specialist, IHDA
Tara Pavlik, Managing Director of Homeownership Programs, IHDA
Nicki Pecori Fioretti, Director of Community Affairs, IHDA
Peter Sellke, Director of the Hardest Hit Fund Program, IHDA
Modernizing Asset Management (Asset Management Track) – New!
The Asset Management department is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient long-term operations and compliance for the largest portfolio of affordable multifamily rental housing in the state of Illinois in partnership with developers, owners, agents, and other affordable housing stakeholders. Learn more about the structure and scope of the department including key initiatives in policy, strategy, technology, and communications.
Moderator: Tim Veenstra, Director of Asset Management, IHDA
Panelists:
Jennifer Miller, Senior Advisor of Policy, Strategy, and Data Integration, IHDA
Joanne Ryan, Assistant Director of Portfolio Analysis and Servicing, IHDA
Elizabeth Smith, Assistant Director of Rental Assistance, IHDA
Patricia Williams, Assistant Director of Rental Compliance, IHDA
SESSION 2
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Coordinating Services for Special Populations (Policy/Process Track)
Special populations require linkages between owners, managers and social service agencies for wrap-around services and continuity of care. Hear from developers, managers, and service providers about the extra coordination and finesse it takes to make sure that these tenants get access to the services they need and how they can enhance your development and the surrounding community.
Moderator: Audra Hamernik, Executive Director, IHDA
Panelists:
Michael Goldberg, Vice President and Executive Director, Heartland Housing
Eric Huffman, Executive Director, Over the Rainbow Association
Mark Ishaug, CEO, Thresholds
Richard Koenig, PhD, Executive Director, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC)
Donna O’Connor, Permanent Supportive Housing Coordinator, IL Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health
Today’s Equity Market: Where Things Stand (Development/Finance Track)
Acquisition and investment leaders will paint the landscape for current equity markets, pricing trends, modeling and what to look out for in the future of the affordable housing investment industry in this interactive discussion.
Moderator: Stephen Sparks, Senior Vice President, Community Development Lending & Investing, KeyBank
Panelists:
James Dunton, VP, Managing Director of Acquisitions, Midwest, Raymond James Tax Credit Funds
Ilyse Mehlman, Vice President, Acquisitions / Underwriting, Hudson Housing Capital
Jason Racine, CPA, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, CREA
Rachel Rhodes, Regional Vice President, National Equity Fund, Inc.
Mike Rossi, Senior Underwriter, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, LLC
Resources and Results in Low-to-Moderate-Income Communities (Community/Local Issues Track)
This interactive panel will provide insight on how to build relationships and partner with financial institutions to produce results in your community. An interactive discussion will take place of best practices and lessons learned from the relationship building process and cover topics including, but not limited to, MOUs, funding, conflicting goals, and mutual accountability.
Moderator: Niccole Clements, VP of Community Development Banking, PNC Bank
Panelists:
Brent Denzin, Partner, Denzin Soltanzadeh LLC
Mike Lundy, Executive Director, Southwestern Illinois Development Authority
Nicki Pecori Fioretti, Director of Community Affairs, IHDA
James Rudyk, Executive Director, Northwest Side Housing Center
Developer Best Practices for the Complex Deal (Development/Finance Track) – Extra Session!
After seeing a new development, have you ever wondered, “how did they ever get THAT deal to close?!” Join us for a look behind the curtain as seasoned developers discuss the capital stack, the operational management of tenants, and the various entities involved in complex deals like mixed-income developments, mixed-use buildings, and deals that use different public funding layers. Participants will learn how past projects came together and strategies for successfully obtaining and utilizing a variety of funding sources.
Moderator: Christine Moran, Managing Director of Multifamily Financing, IHDA
Panelists:
David Block, Director of Development, Evergreen Real Estate Group
Brian Hollenback, President and CEO, Economic Growth Corporation
Jolene Saul, Vice President, Brinshore
Sarah Wick, Vice President, Related Midwest
Will Woodley, Director of Development, The Community Builders
Smart Starts: Focus on Initial Occupancy (Asset Management Track) – New!
Join this panel for peer-to-peer presentation of best practices in transitioning a property from closing to initial occupancy for a variety of housing types and populations served. Learn how developers, owners, and property managers can work collaboratively to position a property early for long-term success.
Moderator: Jennifer Miller, Senior Advisor of Policy, Strategy, and Data Integration, IHDA
Panelists:
Cheryl Cooper, Vice President, Interstate Realty Management Co.
Brian Swanton, President & CEO, Gorman & Company, LLC
SESSION 3
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Innovative Trends in Design, Sustainability and Construction (Policy/Process Track)
Learn about examples of the latest design and construction methods across Illinois to address energy efficiency, healthier buildings and tenants through active design, universal design, and modular construction. Panelists will share how to create innovative, quality housing while also balancing costs. IHDA will also share its latest efforts to focus on cost containment and the lessons learned from its new scoring system for sustainability in the QAP.
Moderator: Marion Lunn, Income Eligible & Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programs, ComEd
Panelists:
Charlene Andreas, RA, COS, Director of Affordable Housing, LUCHA
Jeff Bone, Principal, Landon Bone Baker Architects
Lindsey Elton, LEED, President and Director of Rating Services, Eco Achievers
Tim Swanson, Chief Design Officer, Skender
Spencer Skinner, Assistant Director – Closing & Construction Services, IHDA
New Affordable Housing Resources and Opportunities (Development/Finance Track)
Get the latest updates on affordable housing resources and rules that are new on-the-scene, how to access them and pitfalls to make sure to avoid. We’ll cover topics ranging from Opportunity Zones to income averaging, the latest RAD guidance, a new resource for affordable units in strong markets, current QAP trends, and how to select the best mix for your project in this lightning round overview of the latest financing options and strategies.
Moderator: Mike Goetz, Director, Laborers’ Home Development Corp
Panelists:
Pamela Daniels-Helisi, Managing Director, Community Development Lending, BMO Harris Bank, N.A.
Andy DeCoux, Director of Multifamily Finance and Business Development, IHDA
Glenn Graff, Attorney, Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen
Kathie Soroka, Counsel, Nixon Peabody LLP
Stacie Young, Director, Preservation Compact Director, Community Investment Corporation
Adaptive Reuse for Revitalization (Community/Local Issues Track)
Many communities are burdened with dilapidated or underutilized existing buildings that are a drain on municipal coffers and a blight on the surrounding area. These may include schools, hospitals, hotels, or nursing homes. These adaptive re-use developments have many unique challenges, but when completed successfully, they have ripple effects in local communities that go far beyond just the provision of housing. They can knit neighborhoods back together, provide a link to the past, and help revitalize downtowns or other commercial areas. Learn how adaptive re-use developments can be re-purposed for housing to revitalize your community.
Moderator: Alan Quick, Managing Director of Strategic Planning and Reporting, IHDA
Panelists:
Andre Blakely, Illinois Market President, Gorman & Company
Dan Joos, Senior Project Manager, CORE Construction
Anna Margaret Barris, Project Reviewer, Illinois State Historic Preservation Office
Todd Wiltse, AIA, LEED AP, Partner, Worn Jerabek Wiltse Architects
Demystifying Rental Assistance (Asset Management Track) – New!
Whether you are a developer looking for project resources or a property owner/manager seeking supports for your current or prospective tenants, attend this panel to learn more about the varied rental assistance programs available in the state including their purpose, scope, and scale. Related requirements and options for access/usage including best practices will be spotlighted.
Moderator: Elizabeth Smith, Assistant Director of Rental Assistance, IHDA
Panelists:
Lindsey Keyes, Rural Housing Director, USDA
Richard Monocchio, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Cook County
Jennifer Hill, Executive Director, Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
Tony Sarkees, Asset Resolution Specialist, HUD
Lynda Schueler, Executive Director, Housing Forward
As Illinois residents change the way they live and work, affordable housing partners will require new strategies to meet the evolving needs of developers and communities. Explore how communities are changing and what a new market means for the future of affordable housing.
Structuring the deal is a key aspect of affordable housing financing and often the most complex. Learn about best practices from lenders and syndicators as they discuss innovative solutions from Illinois and across the country.
Fairness and equal access to opportunity are critical to the effective distribution of federal resources. This panel of experts will discuss how HUD’s Fair Housing and Equity Assessment (FHEA) and recent Department of Justice Fair Housing cases have provided new insights into the priorities for affordable housing resources and how those resources are balanced.
The reality is that not all homes can be saved from foreclosure. What should would-be renters consider about a rental property’s financial health before entering into a lease? How do former homeowners who lost their homes need to do to fix their credit to re-enter the market as buyers? What are lenders looking out for and what programs would be ideal for these buyers? What role does post-purchase counseling play in ensuring that these buyers do not fall into financial trouble again? Join the conversation as we discuss how to prepare tenants and former homeowners for moving beyond foreclosure.
Maintaining the physical health of aging properties goes hand-in-hand with maintaining the financial health of those assets. Hear about funding and strategies for maintaining aging properties that do not need or qualify for re-syndication.
Join industry insiders and key housing policy leaders for a discussion on the latest news from Springfield and Washington D.C. This is your opportunity to hear directly from affordable housing advocates on upcoming legislative initiatives, what they mean for your business and what you can do to help.
Ongoing changes to the health care system are spurring conversations about the value of coordinating health and housing. There are many ways to do so on the continuum of healthy housing – from thoughtful design to helping residents gain access to health care to co-locating housing with federally qualified health centers. Hear about innovative strategies for using coordinated development to increase access to affordable housing and affordable health care.
As funding for affordable housing continues to shrink, resources must be maximized to house a range of residents and used to integrate affordable housing more strategically into communities. Hear how the financing tools and the best practices for rental assistance are changing and being used in innovative ways.
Learn more about four of IHDA’s hottest new programs: Preservation Now, Abandoned Properties Program, Blight Reduction Program and Welcome Home Illinois.
In the wake of the foreclosure crisis, scattered site rental has grown as an effective tool to reactivate existing housing stock and rebuild communities. Explore how these innovative developments have been planned, funded, and executed to bring vacant homes back online as opportunities for affordable rental housing.
As the oldest Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) properties near 30 years old, balancing preservation of existing units and the production of new units is becoming increasingly important. Hear about best practices for structuring re-financing, IHDA’s perspective on re-syndication and other helpful tips to secure the financial health of your aging asset.
Research continues to show that supportive housing and Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs) work, but it remains a challenge to assemble the services that give many residents a second chance. Learn from this panel of experts and hear the latest updates on how the Affordable Care Act, Managed Care and the re-balancing of long term care in Illinois will change the way we support our state’s most vulnerable residents.
Proximity to quality schools has a profound impact on the success of community stabilization efforts and is a major driver of housing decisions. Hear about innovative strategies for using coordinated development to improve affordable housing and increase access to quality schools in communities throughout the state and beyond.
Join us to discuss Illinois’ priorities for providing housing options for our most vulnerable residents. Hear the latest from the Governor’s office and learn from the experiences of those in the field, providing supportive housing in integrated settings.
Successful communities provide their residents access to jobs, transportation and daily retail needs. Many opportunity areas have access to these resources already but many Illinois communities, especially those that have been hard hit by the housing crisis, continue to struggle with access to commercial resources. Join us to hear best practices for how to develop affordable housing that truly supports the local economy.
Competition for the 9% LIHTC remain high and other federal funding programs continue to shrink. Learn about new strategies for attracting capital to fund affordable housing and community development initiatives.
Hear and obtain the most up-to-date HUD program and policy information affecting affordable housing, public housing, community and economic development. In addition, information will be provided regarding accessing HUD funding for affordable housing, community and economic development.