Housing Oregon's 2026 Conference and Awards Gala

Check in at the registration table and connect with new and familiar colleagues.

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Vacancy and Delinquency: What is Really Driving the Numbers and What to Do About It

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: D135-6

Description: Vacancy and rent delinquency are hitting affordable housing properties from both sides, eroding revenue, increasing operational stress, and undermining the mission to provide affordable housing to as many people as possible. Together, these compounding challenges are exposing weaknesses in traditional marketing, leasing, and collections strategies, and raising harder questions about the relationship between housing stability and property performance. This session dives into what’s really driving today’s trends, and reimagines these challenges as an opportunity to collaborate across property management, resident services, and outside supportive services to stabilize assets and households.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Resident Services; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Housing Connector

Presenters: 

• Jack Spaeth, Partner Success Manager, Housing Connector
• Dave Bachman, CEO, Cascade Management

OHCS’s First Factory-Produced Housing Cohort

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM        Room: D133-4

Description: This session will gather the first round of funding recipients of OHCS’s factory-produced housing initiative. Attendees will get an overview of factory-produced housing (what it is and isn’t, how it differs from manufactured housing), learn about House Bill 3145 and the factory-produced housing initiative, and hear first-hand experience from the projects that were awarded funding in 2026. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of factory-produced housing, where and how it can work in Oregon, and the role of state policy in supporting this housing solution.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Manufactured, Modular, CLT, Mass Timber; Policy & Advocacy; Homeownership

Host Organization: ECOnorthwest

Moderator: Amanda Ufheil-Somers, Senior Project Manager, ECOnorthwest

Presenters: 

• Anna Mackay, Co-founder, Shortstack Housing
• Matt Edlen, Co-founder, Edlen & Co
• Stephanie Hooper, CEO, AGE+
• Eric Giovannetti, Associate Real Estate Development Project Manager, Hacienda CDC
• Kelly Fridy, GCT Land Management

Leading with Connection: Building a Collaborative Landlord Engagement Network

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: D137-40

Description: Landlord Engagement is most effective when treated as a core function of the homelessness response system—not an afterthought. Our model centers on a clear, proven approach: dedicated landlord relationship builders focus on cultivating and sustaining partnerships, while case managers support households in developing the skills needed to maintain stable housing. This protects relationships, reduces churn, and strengthens the entire system.

Through proactive outreach, early preparation, and strong coordination, we expand access to housing while increasing long‑term stability. Separating landlord‑facing and participant‑facing roles allows both sides of the lease to receive focused support, turning potential conflict into collaboration. Intentional housing conversations and thorough information gathering create better matches, faster placements, and fewer days unhoused. In a competitive, low‑vacancy market, structure, responsiveness, and clear value—not goodwill alone—sustain partnerships. The result: stronger landlord retention, fewer strained interactions, and a more credible, capacity‑building housing system.

Tracks: Homelessness

Host Organization: ACCESS

Presenters: 

• Melanie Doshier, Chief Program Officer, ACCESS  
• Cole Smith, Housing Resources and Partnerships Program Manager, ACCESS
• Rebecca Taylor, Program Manager, Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office

Reparative Development as a Blueprint for Housing Justice

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: D137-40

Description: This session explores “reparative development,” a community-led approach to housing justice that intentionally repairs historical harm, restores community ownership and creates pathways for generational wealth, cultural preservation, and economic self-determination. Using Portland’s transformational Williams & Russell project in Portland’s historically Black Albina neighborhood as a model, participants will examine how reclaiming land displaced by urban renewal serves as a vehicle for restoration and accountability. The workshop highlights how cross-sector partnerships are shaping new models for equitable development, policy reform, anti-displacement strategies, and community-led investment. 

Attendees will learn core principles including community governance, culturally grounded engagement, land stewardship, and restorative practices that prioritize historically excluded voices. The presentation provides practical tools for developers, policymakers, and practitioners to move beyond equity statements to measurable restorative outcomes. Participants will leave with actionable insights on building long-term community resilience, repairing institutional harm, and establishing deep community trust through transformative, community-centered development models.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Equity & Racial Justice; Homeownership

Host Organization: Williams & Russell CDC

Presenters: 

• Azalea Renfield, CEO & Executive Director, Williams & Russell CDC
• Ta’ Neshia Renae, CDEO & Deputy Executive Director, Williams & Russell CDC

Your Property Is a Teenager, Now What? How Asset Management and Development Can Prepare for Future Milestones, Part 1

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: E141-44

Description: As affordable housing properties approach key lifecycle milestones—such as LIHTC Year 15, loan maturities, and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract expirations—owners often face fragmented decision-making across asset management, development, and financing functions. With a coordinated, forward-looking strategy, properties can capture opportunities to optimize capital structure, preserve affordability, and align operational performance with long-term ownership goals.

Participants will leave with a framework for how asset management and development teams can proactively plan ahead of major property milestones, using tools like capital needs assessments, reserve strategies, and NOI forecasting to inform refinancing, recapitalization, or redevelopment decisions. They will also understand how to operationally and financially position their property for lender and investor conversations, from strategically managing NOI and aligning rent and expense strategies with future financing scenarios to bringing the right data to the table when evaluating refinancing or redevelopment pathways. 

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Housing Development Center (HDC)

Presenters:  

• Travis Phillips, Director of Real Estate Development, Housing Development Center
• Liz Winchester, Senior Asset Management Project Mngr, Housing Development Center 

Where Are The Duplexes?

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: E147-8

Description: HB 2001 in 2019 promised middle housing, from duplexes to quadplexes. Almost 7 years later, the vast bulk of housing built has been cottage clusters and townhomes, many models costing $500K or more. Why are other missing middle options, especially small-scale rental housing options, not being built? Is this by policy design or economics? In this panel, attendees will delve into the results of Oregon’s missing middle initiative, from changes in affordability to neighborhood segregation, or lack thereof. The end result will be an understanding of what is, and a vision of what could be.

Tracks: Policy & Advocacy; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Housing Land Advocates

Moderator: Jean Dahlquist, Board Member, Housing Land Advocates 

Presenters:  

• Reed Johnson, PAPA Project Coordinator, Housing Land Advocates
• Loni Gray,Founder, Neighborhood Placemakers Network 
• Robert Pile, Principal, Oakleaf Redevelopment 

Taking Pride in Elder Housing: Finding Accessible, Affordable, and Affirming Housing for LGBTQ+ Older Adults

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: F149

Description: As members of the LGBTQ+ community age, they often struggle to find housing that meets their needs. LGBTQ+ older adults face three challenges, often at the same time: 1) Finding housing that offers the level of care they require, 2) Finding housing for older adults that is also welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, and  3) Finding housing that is affordable for a community that has faced employment discrimination throughout their careers. 

Drawing on lessons learned from a multi-year project to vet older adult housing for LGBTQ+ friendliness, this workshop offers advice on supporting LGBTQ+ older adults as they navigate the housing system. In this workshop, participants will examine why LGBTQ+ older adults face unique challenges in their housing search, discover strategies to make housing more inclusive, and learn how to signal their support for LGBTQ+ older adults.

Tracks: Equity & Racial Justice; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Friendly House Elder Pride Services

Presenters:  

• Alex Maresca,Training, Advocacy, and Outreach Specialist, Friendly House Elder Pride Services
• Ruth Szilagyi, Elder Pride Services Volunteer and Housing Committee Representative, Friendly House Elder Pride Services

Resilience in Housing Services: Supporting Staff Well-Being

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM    Room: E145-6

Description: Frontline staff across housing and homeless services are navigating increasing stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain while continuing to support their communities. This session offers practical strategies to strengthen emotional well-being in high-pressure, housing-focused environments. Participants will learn to recognize early signs of burnout, apply simple grounding techniques, set healthy boundaries, and build stronger team connections. Grounded in Community Supported Shelters’ model, which employs people with lived experience and individuals currently in shelter, we will share approaches that foster a culture of health and psychological safety. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply to reduce burnout, improve staff retention, and sustain impact in this work.

Tracks: Organizational Development & Staff Resilience; Homelessness

Host Organization: Community Supported Shelters

Presenters: 

• Blake Burrell, Co Executive Director, Community Supported Shelters
• Heather Quaas-Annsa, Co Executive Director, Community Supported Shelters

Secrets Unlocked! Risk Mitigation Programs – Level 2 – Claim Form Mania Agenda

Monday, September 28

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM    Room: F152

Description: At last year’s conference, Program Administrators from Portland Housing Bureau (PHB), Housing Development Center (HDC), Homeless Services Department (HSD) and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) shared distinguishing attributes and applicability criteria for the Permanent Supportive Housing Risk Mitigation Pools offered by PHB, HSD, and OHCS. This session aims to bring together the different Risk Mitigation programs once again to offer an in-depth informative session regarding the available program including changes to the claim process. The panel will show examples of eligible costs and offer data collected from the programs. The panel will also include stories from successful claimants who have utilized funding. Additional resources will be provided after the session to assist and guide potential applicants through the process of applying for the right Risk Mitigation Pool program. 

Tracks: Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Multnomah County – Homeless Services Department

Presenters: 

• Martha Tena-Lopez, PSH Program Specialist, OHCS
• Maryam Alshaiji Hill, Associate AM Project Manager, Housing Development Center
• Lindsay Brown, Housing Portfolio Finance Coordinator, Portland  Housing Bureau

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Inside a Financial Tool Pilot: Credit, Rent Relief, and Cross- Departmental Learning

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: D133-4

Description: Affordable housing providers are increasingly testing financial tools that link resident stability and property operations – but cross-departmental implementation is rarely straightforward. This session shares the story of an Oregon-based pilot in which three housing providers explored Esusu, a rent-based credit reporting and rent relief program, while navigating distinct implementation paths within their organizations. Through facilitated discussion and real-world examples, panelists will share why they took on this work, what surprised them, and what they continue to learn. The conversation will highlight implementation realities related to internal coordination across resident services, asset management, property management, and operations; resident communication and trust; data systems; and staffing capacity. Participants will hear where the approach has shown early promise, what has required adaptation, and how resident experience has shaped next steps. Attendees will leave with a concrete example of a tool along with practical questions and considerations to inform their own experimentation and decision-making.

Tracks: Resident Services; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Oregon Community Foundation

Moderator: Jocelyn Beh, Program Officer, Oregon Community Foundation

Presenters:  

• Trell Anderson, Executive Director, Northwest Housing Alternatives 
• Megan O’Keefe, Director of Resident Services, REACH Community Development
• Peggy Wolfert, Program Coordinator, REACH Community Development
• Juan Ortiz, Director of Asset Management and Resident Services, Hacienda CDC
• Jessica Lam, Resident Services Manager, Hacienda CDC 

Communicating to Build Trust: A Practical Framework for Talking About Housing

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: D135-6

Description: Housing advocates have strong facts, compelling stories, and evidence that solutions work. But those messages don’t always build trust with people who are frustrated, skeptical, or still making up their minds. Without greater public trust and support, we risk losing the funding needed to address Oregon’s housing crisis.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how the Oregon Housing Narrative Campaign approaches communication with persuadable audiences and learn a four-part messaging framework for building trust and support. We’ll examine why simply providing more facts or defending our work can fall short, see the framework in action, and use it to strengthen real-world housing communications.

If you talk with partners, policymakers, funders, or the public about housing, you’ll leave with a practical framework for making those conversations more effective, including: how to communicate about both challenge and progress, connecting solutions to what people care about, and crafting compelling messages that move audiences. 

Tracks: Communications

Host Organization: HereTogether

Presenters:

• Alesha Delaney, Communications Director, HereTogether
• Carrie DeLong Parrish, Social Impact Communications Consultant, Streamline Storytelling

Your Property Is a Teenager, Now What? Asset Managers and Developers Share Case Studies from Project Milestones, Part 2

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: E141-44

Description: As affordable housing properties approach key lifecycle milestones—such as LIHTC Year 15, loan maturities, and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract expirations—owners often face fragmented decision-making across asset management, development, and other functions. With a coordinated, forward-looking strategy, properties can capture opportunities to optimize capital structure, preserve affordability, and align operational performance with long-term ownership goals.

Participants will gain practical insights from project examples that illustrate how owners navigated milestone-driven decisions—such as recapitalizations, resyndications, refinancing, and redevelopment—and how their choices tangibly affected property performance and ownership outcomes. Attendees will leave with improved awareness of common pitfalls and a clearer understanding of approaches that other owners have successfully used to align asset management strategy, development timing, and funder expectations to achieve desired results. 

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Housing Development Center

Moderator:

• Liz Winchester, Senior Asset Management Project Mngr,  Housing Development Center

Presenter: 

• Travis Phillips, Director of Real Estate Development, Housing Development Center 

Oregon HB 4036 – Report to the Legislature About Cost of Operating Affordable Housing

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: E145-6

Description: Oregon’s Legislature passed HB 4036 directing OHCS to examine how laws, policies, and daily practices affect affordable housing operations. OHCS is gathering feedback on processes that add cost, time, or complexity—from leasing and screening applicants to filling vacancies, recertifications, inspections, rent collection, property management, and regulatory navigation. Before HB 4036, OHCS had already been working with partners to identify opportunities to simplify, reduce, or remove burdens.

In this interactive session, OHCS will share key themes, highlight actions underway to streamline processes, and invite participants to identify gaps, priorities, and areas where additional support is needed, such as guidance, training, technical assistance, or coordination. Bring your experiences and ideas about the costs of operating affordable housing. Your feedback will help ensure the HB 4036 report reflects real-world challenges and informs practical improvements that support efficient operations, responsible use of public resources, and strong resident protections. 

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Co–Moderators: 

• Natasha Detweiler-Daby, Director of Affordable Rental Housing, OHCS 
• Kristy Willard, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Malheur & Harney Counties 

Presenters:

• Tari Bradley, Portfolio Support Manager, OHCS
• Seyoung Sung, Senior Planning & Policy Analyst, OHCS

Housing Production Strategy Menu of Local Housing Actions, In Action!

Description: Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation & Development recently updated one of its relatively new and hallmark tools to end the housing crisis: the Housing Production Strategy Menu of Actions, 2.0 version. This workshop brings forward a land use advocate, an affordable housing developer, and a real estate industry advocate to show how, from any of these perspectives, one can find local housing actions to advocate for in their community and across the state to promote housing production, housing affordability, and fair housing choice. We will use the tool live, beginning with specific unmet housing needs then using the tool to identify actions that could help meet those needs. Attendees will leave understanding how the tool works and how to navigate to additional educational resources including the action sheets linked in the menu which explain what each action is, for example what a Construction Excise Tax or a Development Code Audit is.

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: E147-8

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Policy & Advocacy; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development

Moderator: Celestina Teva, Senior Housing Planner, Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development

Presenters: 

• Mary Kyle McCurdy, Associate Director & Managing Attorney, 1000 Friends of Oregon
• Shannon Tennant, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Oregon
• Brock Nation, Policy Director, Oregon Realtors

Know Their Business: How Community Development Organizations Can Influence Bank Investment

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: F149

Description: Banks are not just grant-makers, and approaching them as such leaves significant capital on the table. This session gives community development practitioners a working knowledge of how banks actually operate: their business model, how they evaluate lending risk, and who inside the institution actually makes capital deployment decisions. Participants will learn how the Community Reinvestment Act creates structural obligations and leverage points that organizations can use to advance investment priorities. Hands-on activities will give participants practice translating community priorities into language that lands with bank decision-makers. Facilitated by NCRC, the session also covers how to identify the highest-leverage moments for bank engagement in your market. Participants leave with a concrete framework for approaching their next bank conversation as an informed, credible partner.

Tracks: Community Reinvestment

Host Organization: National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)

Presenter: 

• Devin Thompson, Director, Place-Based Strategies, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)

Supportive Housing with Native Communities: Partnerships, Models, and Lessons from the Field

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: F150-151

Description: Developing supportive housing in Native communities demands more than standard models; it requires strong partnerships, cultural responsiveness, and alignment with community priorities. This workshop unites nationwide perspectives from the National American Indian Housing Council and on-the-ground expertise from BeauxSimone Consulting, drawing on 50+ projects developed on and off Tribal land.

Through case studies, including the Native American Youth and Family Center, this session highlights models centering Native leadership, integrated culturally responsive services, and alignment with community priorities. Participants will explore strategies across Tribal, urban, and non-Tribal contexts for leveraging Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funding off reservation, braiding in non-Tribal funding sources for projects on Tribal land, and common challenges and missteps in supportive housing development. Whether you are a Tribal partner or non-Native developer, you will gain practical, actionable tools for what it takes to show up well, build trust, and contribute meaningfully without imposing outside frameworks.

Tracks: Equity & Racial Justice; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: National American Indian Housing Council

Presenters: 

• Maria Danz, Training and Technical Assistance Program Director, National American Indian Housing Council
• Zoe LeBeau, Supportive Housing Consultant, BeauxSimone Consulting
• Keith Ferrante Design and Construction Project Manager, NAYA

Secrets Unlocked! Risk Mitigation Programs – Level 2 – Claim Form Mania Agenda

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: F152

Description: At last year’s conference, Program Administrators from Portland Housing Bureau (PHB), Housing Development Center (HDC), Homeless Services Department (HSD) and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) shared distinguishing attributes and applicability criteria for the Permanent Supportive Housing Risk Mitigation Pools offered by PHB, HSD, and OHCS. This session aims to bring together the different Risk Mitigation programs once again to offer an in-depth informative session regarding the available program including changes to the claim process. The panel will show examples of eligible costs and offer data collected from the programs. The panel will also include stories from successful claimants who have utilized funding. Additional resources will be provided after the session to assist and guide potential applicants through the process of applying for the right Risk Mitigation Pool program. 

Tracks: Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Multnomah County – Homeless Services Department

Presenters: 

• Martha Tena-Lopez, PSH Program Specialist, OHCS
• Maryam Alshaiji Hill, Associate AM Project Manager, Housing Development Center
• Lindsay Brown, Housing Portfolio Finance Coordinator, Portland  Housing Bureau

Where Innovation Meets Opportunity: Expanding Pathways to Homeownership Through Innovative Mortgages in Oregon

Monday, September 28

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM       Room: D137-40

Description: This session will highlight how Oregon Housing and Community Services and a partnership of DevNW, NOAH, and Arrive (formerly Portland Housing Center) are aligning public resources and community-based innovation to expand equitable pathways to homeownership. Presenters will explain how new products and approaches, such as OHCS’ Flex Lending program, and the Amplify Oregon Accelerated Mortgage product for CLTs, combined with existing education and counseling, support  first-generation and historically underserved buyers increase access to homeownership. Presenters will share data on the impact and efficacy of these programs as well as share lessons learned. The session will focus on how these tools work together to reduce systemic barriers, including credit constraints, down payment gaps, and income volatility, while maintaining long-term housing stability. 

Tracks: Homeownership

Host Organization: DevNW

Moderator: Rolando Velazquez, Mortgage Loan Originator, DevNW

Presenters: 

• Scott Shaw, Assistant Director of Homeownership Lending, OHCS
• Olympia Church, Executive Director for Homeownership, DevNW

Enjoy a buffet lunch, included with your registration.

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Stabilizing Our Portfolios – From Data To Action

Monday, September 28

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM Room: Exhibit Hall E

Description: Oregon’s affordable housing portfolio faces urgent operational instability  — and the time is now to move from diagnosis to action. This plenary opens with new national research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco on the state of affordable housing portfolios nationwide. Then we get to work.

Panelists will share what it is like on the ground for owners right now, current efforts and emerging recommendations from a working group focused on the actions we can take now to preserve at-risk affordable homes for the Oregonians who live there, and the view from the state of Oregon on how to respond. The panel will conclude with a candid conversation about the solutions that will create stable and thriving affordable housing communities throughout Oregon in the decades to come.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Policy & Advocacy; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Housing Development Center

Moderator: Traci Manning, Executive Director, Housing Development Center

Presenters:  

• Elizabeth Kneebone, Assistant Vice President of Research, Community Engagement and Analysis, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
• Margaret Salazar, CEO, REACH Community Development
• Councilor Christine Lewis, Metro Council District 2, Supportive Housing Services Regional Policy and Oversight Committee
• TBD, Oregon Housing and Community Services
• Representative Pam Marsh, Oregon House District 5, Chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

How to Prepare For a Successful Tenant Relocation or Occupied Rehab

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: D133-4

Description: A smoother process will save your project money. 

Come learn about the timeline of a tenant relocation. What does budgeting for a relocation look like? How early in the planning process should I start thinking about relocation? Learn when to inform your residents, how to source housing, what tenant care during relocation looks like, and the importance of pest remediation and lease enforcement.

Tracks: Serving People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD); Resident Services; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Peregrine Relocations, LLC

Moderator: Larisa Zimmerman, Owner/Member, Peregrine Relocations, LLC

Presenters: 

• Kelsi Villarreal, Tenant Support Coordinator, Peregrine Relocations
• Jon Ross, Pack/Move Coordinator, Peregrine Relocations

Building More through Oregon Homes (HB 2258)

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: D135-6

Description: Oregon Homes (HB 2258 2024 Session) allows pre-approved site plans and land use standards to be utilized across the state for lots and buildings that meet specific requirements. Utilizing OR Homes to build would reduce length of review and provide certainty for developers seeking to build similar types of homes within and across jurisdictions. Come learn how to use this significant tool for housing production.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Homeownership

Host Organization: Office of Governor Tina Kotek

Presenters: 

• Alexis Hammer, Government Relations, Dept. Land Conservation and Development
• Svetha Ambati, Governor Kotek’s Senior Housing Advisor
• Andrew Boulton, Policy and Technical Services Manager, Building Codes Division
• Jim Taylor, Development and Production Manager, Disaster Recovery and Resilience, OHCS

Developing a Roadmap of Success: Oregon’s Next Statewide Housing Plan

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: D137-40

Description: Oregon Housing and Community Services is developing its next five-year Statewide Housing Plan, which is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the evolving housing needs in Oregon. This plan will serve as a comprehensive roadmap, guiding efforts to enhance housing affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. By leveraging data-driven insights and engaging with diverse stakeholders, the plan will outline clear objectives and actionable strategies to meet the housing challenges faced by Oregonians. It will incorporate flexible and adaptive approaches to remain resilient in a changing housing environment, ensuring that the plan can respond effectively to shifts in market conditions and policy landscapes. In this session, OHCS leaders driving this effort will talk about the work that has gone into developing a blueprint for the plan, the progress so far, and how housing partners throughout the state can engage with OHCS to advance impactful community-driven outcomes in the years ahead.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Rural Communities; Homeownership; Homelessness

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Presenters: 

• Alder Bartlett, Chief Operating Officer, OHCS
• Neil Barrett, External Affairs Officer, OHCS
• Mike Savara, Advisor to Executive Director, OHCS

Portfolio Trends and Asset Management: What the Data Is Telling Us

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: E141-44

Description: This session offers a comprehensive examination of current trends shaping affordable housing portfolio performance and asset management practice through portfolio data analysis. Presenters will provide an overview of the current state of the portfolio, highlight active asset management efforts underway, and outline strategic next steps for strengthening performance and managing risk. Drawing on data driven analysis, the session will explore the factors influencing property health. Attendees will leave this session with a stronger understanding of operating trends in Oregon and practical frameworks for translating performance data into informed decision-making.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Network For Oregon Affordable Housing

Presenters: 

• Rachel Bidou, Deputy Director, Network For Oregon Affordable Housing
• Liz Winchester, Senior Asset Management Project Manager, Housing Development Center 
• Elizabeth Kneebone, Assistant Vice President of Research, Community Engagement and Analysis, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Cost of Fragmentation – A Comparison of State Affordable Housing Finance Governance Systems

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: E145-6

Description: To finance and build affordable housing, developers across the United States need to assemble multiple funding sources at the federal, state, and local levels. Public funding sources can be administered by separate agencies or departments, each with its own requirements and timelines. This fragmentation can result in increased development costs, project delays, and added uncertainty for projects—all critical barriers to building affordable housing in high-cost, high-demand housing environments. The Terner Center, housed at UC Berkeley, supports researchers to examine how states structure the governance of their affordable housing finance systems and the implications for accessing key subsidy programs, with the goal of lifting up effective models that may be replicable in other states. Participants in this session will learn about variations in state governance structures for administration of housing resources, with detailed findings from case studies comparing five states:  Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina and Oregon.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Moderator: Matthew Tschabold, Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director, Office of Governor Tina Kotek

Presenters: 

• Sarah Karlinsky, Director of Research and Policy, UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation
• Natasha Detweiler Daby, Director of Affordable Rental Housing, OHCS

Fair Housing ‘How To’ for Property Asset Management Groups – Part 1- Reasonable Accommodation/Modification

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: E147-8

Description: This session will provide information on how onsite management should review reasonable accommodation/modification requests, how requests need to be made, what types of verification documentation should be accepted, and the legal importance of confidentiality for any communication with a tenant based on disability and source of income. In addition, this session will cover best practices for onsite management’s response to harassment based on protected class status. Onsite management will leave this training with a better understanding of how to review reasonable accommodations/modifications and how to address harassment when it occurs, while keeping communication with tenants confidential.

Tracks: Property & Asset Management; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Fair Housing Council of Oregon

Presenters: 

• Glenda Moyer, Eastern Oregon Education and Outreach Coordinator and Enforcement Investigator, Fair Housing Council of Oregon
• Jamie Gatewood, Education and Outreach Development Manager, Fair Housing Council of Oregon

Stacking the Deck: Maximizing Energy Incentives for Affordable Housing Projects

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: F149

Description: Affordable housing providers are navigating rising costs, complex funding layers and increasing pressure to deliver energy-efficient, equitable housing. This session explores how to strategically combine Energy Trust of Oregon’s Community Partner Offering (CPO) with Oregon Housing & Community Services’ Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP) to unlock greater project savings and impact.

Attendees will learn how to align eligibility, layer incentives and incorporate energy-efficient upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation and water heating into their projects. Through a real-world case study, presenters will share how one organization successfully stacked these programs, including lessons learned and measurable outcomes. Participants will leave with practical strategies to maximize funding, reduce energy costs for residents and advance equity-focused housing goals, along with a clearer understanding of how to apply these approaches to their own developments.

Tracks: Clean Energy & Climate Resiliency; Equity & Racial Justice

Host Organization: Energy Trust of Oregon

Presenters:  

• Fredy Salazar, Community Strategies Program Specialist, Energy Trust of Oregon
• Anna Kolodziejski, Energy Advisor, OHCS – Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP)

Improving Organizational Efficiency with AI: Revolutionary or Overhyped?

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: F150-151

Description: AI is everywhere in the housing conversation right now, but is it a genuine tool for transformation, slick big tech marketing, or something more complicated? This participatory session brings housing professionals together to find out. We’ll open with a brief tour of concrete AI use cases already showing up in the housing industry, from administrative workflows to resident services to compliance and reporting. From there, the session shifts into a facilitated small-group dialogue where your experience, skepticism, and curiosity shape the conversation.

Participants will leave with a clearer sense of where AI is genuinely useful in housing work, where it falls short, and what questions to be asking of vendors, leadership, and themselves. Just as importantly, you’ll leave having heard how peers across the field are thinking about this moment, and with new colleagues to keep thinking alongside.

Tracks: Organizational Development & Staff Resilience

Host Organization: Innovative Housing Inc.

Presenters:  

• Kody Barnett, Housing Support Specialist, Innovative Housing Inc.
• Alex Hessler, CEO, Invisible Thread

Innovative Support-Gaining, Planning and Construction Bringing Affordable, Resilient Housing to Rural Oregon

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: F152

Description: Rural communities face unique challenges and opportunities in achieving affordable, resilient, and inclusive housing, while providing a quality and supportive lifestyle. We are addressing this through innovative, partially modular housing construction to diverse rural communities. Our process spans the entire development lifecycle: from land identification and acquisition, funding applications, and site planning that fosters cottage cluster housing in small community-oriented neighborhoods. We utilize a unique delivery system that combines on-site construction, modular components, and pre-manufactured composite products.

In this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the techniques and processes required to secure support for and successfully deliver affordable, livable, and resilient rural housing with their unique challenges. We aim to help leaders and stakeholders think “big picture” about what can be achieved, identify overlooked opportunities, and leverage innovative delivery systems to achieve diverse, high-quality housing solutions.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Manufactured, Modular, CLT, Mass Timber; Rural Communities; Homeownership

Host Organization: GCT Land Management LLC, with Seder Arch.

Presenters:  

• Gust Tsiatsos, President, GCT Land Management LLC
• Mark Seder, Principal, Seder Architecture + Urban Design LLC

Advancing Better Supportive Housing

Monday, September 28

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM            Room: F152

Description: What is the future of supportive housing? What challenges do providers face with Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units? Is PSH-focused building better than scattered placement? Does building scale affect PSH resident success? What are the key factors for PSH residents’ health and housing stability?

Central City Concern’s Fall 2025 white paper, “Engaged Supportive Housing: Sustainable Models for Housing and Clinical Services in Supportive Housing,” addressed current housing and behavioral health challenges and suggested reforms. Health Share of Oregon, Metro, Multnomah County, and the City of Portland have jointly funded an extensive, data-driven study—likely the nation’s largest—to examine the connections among housing, homelessness services, and health care. 

The panel will discuss current conditions, insights from data, and potential recommendations for future supportive housing and services. To review CCC’s report: https://tinyurl.com/zfkb3ztx  

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Salazar Architect

Moderator: Jennifer Nye, Managing Director Pacific Northwest, Salazar Architect

Presenters:  

• Andrew Mendenhall, President and CEO, Central City Concern
• Sarah Holland, Senior Director of Supportive Housing & Employment, Central City Concern
• Cat Livingston, Medical Director, Health Share Oregon
• Lori Kelly, Planning and Evaluation Manager, Homeless Services Department, Multnomah County
• Mary Eileen Langsdorf Hanson, Deputy Director of Asset Management, Community Development Partners
• Dan Easdale, Program Director, Corvallis Housing First

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Project Distress and Defaults

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: D135-6

Description: What should we do, What are our options, Who can help?  The workshop will discuss best practices and potential strategies for dealing effectively with various forms of Project distress, from cost overruns, to delays in lease-up, to economic vacancies, to coverage and payment defaults, including supplemental funding, debt restructuring and other resources. The panel is anticipated to include representatives of OHCS, Heritage Bank and Orrick and feature examples of recent, successful workouts.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization

Host Organization: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Moderator: Alexandra Bartos-O’Neill,Attorney,Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Presenters: 

• Michael Schrader,Partner,Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
• Kathy Swift, Senior Vice President, Heritage Bank

Oregon Executive Order 26-01: Refinements to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Next Steps

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: D133-4

Description: Governor Tina Kotek issued Executive Order 26-01 extending Oregon’s state of emergency on unsheltered homelessness, focusing on mental and behavioral health as ongoing conditions that continue to threaten public health, safety, and economic stability across the state, constituting an emergency. Participants in this session will learn about EO 26-01 requirements for OHCS and Oregon Health Authority (OHA), perspectives from ground-level partners about successes and challenges integrating behavioral supports into PSH and strategies for risk mitigation with existing PSH properties.

Tracks: Rural Communities; Resident Services; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Moderator: Amy Baker, Behavioral Health Initiative Director, Office of Governor Tina Kotek

Presenters: 

• Dana Schultz, Supportive Housing Analyst, OHCS
• Mike Savara, Special Initiatives Advisor, OHCS
• Chris Aiosa, Director of Project Development, The Father’s Heart & LoveOne
• TBD – Oregon Health Authority

Addressing Barriers in Manufactured Housing

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: D137-40

Description: This interactive panel invites participants to explore the challenges facing manufactured housing and to co‑create pathways toward lasting solutions. Panelists will highlight current barriers to preserving manufactured home communities, replacing older homes, and expanding lending options. Through shared insights and facilitated discussion, we’ll work together to surface needs, spark new ideas, and identify promising strategies that can strengthen manufactured housing as an affordable and sustainable housing choice.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Manufactured, Modular, CLT, Mass Timber; Rural Communities; Homeownership

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Presenters: 

• Talia Kahn-Kravis, Assistant Director of Homeownership Programs, OHCS
• Alex Annand, Manufactured Housing and Cooperative Development Center Director, CASA of Oregon
• Eddie Sepeda, Program Navigator, Manufactured Housing Replacement Program, Energy Trust Oregon
• Anthony Carnivale, Senior Relationship Manager, NOAH 
• Manufactured Housing Cooperative Resident

Oregon Trail For Capital: Navigating LIHTC Equity And Debt Hazards Amidst Federal Changes And Local Resource Scarcity

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: E141-44

Description: The LIHTC capital trail is steeper and the rules are changing. Federal policy shifts, tax and budget uncertainty, and evolving federal priorities are reshaping investor behavior and debt availability just as Oregon’s local resources grow more constrained. This session frames LIHTC development as a modern-day capital expedition, where sponsors must navigate policy headwinds, pricing volatility, and scarce soft funding to reach closing. Panelists will explore how federal actions intersect with Oregon‑specific housing policy, allocation priorities, and local funding tools to influence feasibility statewide. The goal of this session is to help practitioners anticipate policy‑driven risks and adapt their capital strategies accordingly. Attendees will leave with a clearer map for aligning equity, debt, and public resources to keep projects viable—and Oregon housed—despite a more treacherous terrain.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Community Reinvestment

Host Organization: Red Stone Equity Partners

Moderator: Jilian Saurage Felton,Housing Director ,Community Partners for Affordable Housing

Presenters: 

• Cat Vielma, Director, Red Stone Equity Partners 
• Kevin Peterek, Vice President Affordable Housing Lending, Banner Bank
• Naomi See, Senior Vice President, KeyBank 
• Lisa Decker, Managing Director, National Equity Fund 
• Ann Melone, Senior Vice President, USBank CDC 

Fair Housing ‘How To’ for Property Asset Management Groups – Part 2 – Harassment

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: E147-8

Description: This session will provide information on how onsite management should review reasonable accommodation/modification requests, how requests need to be made, what types of verification documentation should be accepted, and the legal importance of confidentiality for any communication with a tenant based on disability and source of income. In addition, this session will cover best practices for onsite management’s response to harassment based on protected class status. Onsite management will leave this training with a better understanding of how to review reasonable accommodations/modifications and how to address harassment when it occurs, while keeping communication with tenants confidential.

Tracks: Property & Asset Management; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Fair Housing Council of Oregon

Presenter: Glenda Moyer, Eastern Oregon Education and Outreach Coordinator, Fair Housing Council of Oregon

State Tools for Reducing Barriers to Affordable Housing

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: F149

Description: Acquiring land and navigating the entitlement process remain key barriers to affordable housing production. The state has passed legislation creating new tools that affordable housing developers can leverage to support land acquisition and the entitlement process for affordable housing development. This workshop will provide an overview of new and existing tools that developers should be aware of as they evaluate new affordable housing development opportunities, including: by-right affordable housing (SB 8, HB 3395 and more), flexibility to local development and design standards (SB 1537), affordable and accessible middle housing (HB 2138), housing model codes (SB 1564), and state-owned lands (“home start lands”, HB 2316)

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Land Use, Land Banking, Site Control, Infrastructure

Host Organization: Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development

Presenters:  

• Rachel Six, Housing Planner, Housing Accountability and Production Office, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
• Kieran Turnbull, Housing Navigator, Housing Accountability and Production Office, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development

Creating Resiliency in Your Assets: Support for Residents, Community, Operators, Property Managers, and Owners

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: F150-151

Description: This presentation teaches awareness and process for implementing resiliency in your developments and assets, bringing long term value and support to tenants, community, operators, property managers and owners. Resilient design measures respond to key risks and employ adaptive design that protects assets, allows for livability during events, helps with recovery efforts, and supports vulnerable resident populations. Attendees can expect to learn a resilient design process, common hazards, and resilient strategies. Speakers present affordable housing and community resilience hub case studies to demonstrate the resilient design process, key resilience strategies, and positive outcomes. Results lead to reductions in operational costs or utility bills, create self-sufficient developments, and operations that can be sustained during outages and extreme events.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Clean Energy & Climate Resiliency; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Scott Edwards Architecture

Presenters: 

• Hayley Purdy, Principal, Scott Edwards Architecture
• Juliette Grummon-Beale, Sustainability Director, Senior Associate,Scott Edwards Architecture
• Sander Kohler, Architect, Scott Edwards Architecture

The Latest Advancements in Older Adult Affordable Housing

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: F152

Description: This session delves into Oregon’s new Older Adult Housing Program based on HB 3589 from the 2025 Legislative Session, HB4082 from the 2026 short session and additional funding mechanisms. Participants will learn how state investments, technical assistance, architectural requirements, and dedicated funding streams will support affordable, suitable housing for older adults to age well in community. Using  project examples, presenters will demonstrate how these tools can be applied in communities statewide. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to leverage state support, partner with local stakeholders, and advance age friendly housing from concept to construction.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Policy & Advocacy

Host Organization: AGE+

Moderator: Stephanie Hooper, CEO, AGE+

Presenters:  

• Matthew Tschabold, Housing & Homelessness Initiative Director, Office of the Governor
• Pam Marsh, State Representative, Oregon House of Representatives
• Sarah Sullivan, Senior Housing Program Analyst, OHCS

Bridging Inpatient Psychiatric Stabilization into Health and Housing Stability for High-Acuity Homeless Clients

Monday, September 28

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: E145-6

Description: This workshop will highlight the Psychiatric Hospital to Housing (PHH) Systems of Care Pilot. Launched in spring 2026 through a collaborative effort led by New Narrative, Health Share, Metro, and Multnomah County, the pilot supports clients with high-acuity behavioral health conditions to avoid being discharged into homelessness following a psychiatric inpatient stay at Providence Portland Medical Center or Unity Center for Behavioral Health. The goal of the session is to share updates on how key housing and health care partners have been coordinating across systems to provide prioritized identification and coordinated referrals from inpatient psychiatric settings into hotel shelters, outpatient behavioral health care, and longer term housing placement. Among other outcomes, workshop participants can expect to learn about how the pilot is working to reduce returns to homelessness after discharge from psychiatric inpatient units while evaluating the health, housing, and racial equity impacts of enhanced coordination and resource prioritization.

Tracks: Policy & Advocacy; Homelessness; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Metro

Presenters:  

• Kelli Horvath, Senior Policy Analyst, Metro 
• Adam Peterson, Portfolio Manager of Healthcare and Homeless Services Integration, Health Share of Oregon
• Josh Thomas, Clinical Care Coordination Operations Manager, Multnomah County Behavioral Health Division
• Erin Pidot, Program Manager, PSH and Coordinated Access Team, Multnomah County Homeless Services Department
• Maura Delaney, Program Manager, New Narrative

This is your opportunity to relax and kick back with a no-host bar, hors d’oeuvres, and good conversation.

Social Gathering – Homeownership Center Program Managers, Educators and Counselors

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Room: D133-4

Tracks: Homeownership

Description: Join other homeownership center program managers, educators and counselors for a gathering to socialize and reconnect – in-person – with your peers from across the state. No agenda, just an opportunity to share experiences and updates with each other. No-host, but a cash bar will be available in the lobby areas.

Host: Juan A. Campos, Member, HOME Pathways LLC, Prosperity Path Advisors LLC

Social Gathering – Emerging Leaders Reception

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Room: D137-40

Tracks: Organizational Development & Staff Resilience

Description: A space for those who are in the 5 years of their career to have the chance to network with others in a similar space. No agenda, just an opportunity to share experiences and updates with each other. No-host, but a cash bar will be available in the lobby areas.

Hosts: JT McElrath, Events and Communications, Sabin CDC, and Caden Hiebert, Director of New Construction and Maintenance, Sabin CDC

Social Gathering – Housing Funders of Oregon

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Room: E141-44

Tracks: Philanthropy

Description: Grab a snack and a drink and join fellow funders for an informal gathering to connect and discuss the state of housing and homelessness in Oregon. Learn how the Housing Funders of Oregon Collaborative is navigating shifts in philanthropy by leveraging narrative change and collective power to close key funding gaps. All funders are welcome to drop in, ask questions, and explore shared goals with peers.

Host: Housing Funders Of Oregon Collaborative

Join us for this annual celebration recognizing the exceptional achievements of individuals, organizations, projects, and programs advancing affordable housing across Oregon.

Check in at the registration table and connect with new and familiar colleagues.

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Challenging Fair Housing Situations and Conflict Resolution Tips

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: D133-4

Description: Conflicts between residents—and between residents and property management—can escalate quickly when harassment is involved. This training will help housing providers, advocates, and tenants recognize when conflict crosses the line into illegal harassment under federal and state fair housing laws. We will cover what constitutes illegal harassment in rental housing, real-world examples, how to document incidents and build a record of events, when to involve the landlord, and how landlords should respond. We will also share practical tips for conflict resolution and mediation. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of rights and responsibilities related to hate and harassment in housing, and the skills to identify illegal harassment, document it, and work together to resolve conflicts. 

Tracks: Resident Services; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Fair Housing Council of Oregon

Presenters: 

• Shyle Ruder, Education and Outreach Director, Fair Housing Council of Oregon
• Erion Moore, Executive Director, Resolutions NW

OBBBA Provisions for Affordable Housing, Including OZ 2.0, Changes to LIHTCs, NMTCs, and Renewables

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: D135-6

Description: Understand how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will affect your affordable housing developments going forward. Opportunities abound for leveraging Opportunity Zones (OZs), New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), and renewables, plus new resources for affordable housing.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance

Host Organization: Novogradac & Company LLP

Presenters: 

• Nicolo Pinoli, Partner, Novogradac & Company LLP
• Warren Sebra, Partner, Novogradac & Company LLP

Best Practices in Affordable Housing Property Management

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: F150-151

Description: The new $3.3 million statewide funding initiative- Resources for Asset Management and Property Support (RAMPS) – provides resources to improve property health and resident well-being in Oregon’s affordable housing. A portion of the funds ($2 million) will be used to measurably improve occupancy rates, expedite move-ins, prevent evictions, reduce residential turnover and enhance the well-being of residents. Property management staff are responsible for ensuring these measurable outcomes happen, no matter the financial health of properties. This panel discussion, moderated by RAMPS project manager at HDC, will include panelists representing both property management firms and organizations that self-manage their portfolios. The discussion will center around the challenging environment of affordable housing property management, what’s being done to stabilize properties, and how the panelists could utilize RAMPS funds to improve occupancy and reduce residential turnover. Best practices will be reviewed, including details on appropriate staffing and training needs.

Tracks: Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Housing Development Center

Moderator: Brooks Nelson, Senior Project Manager, Housing Development Center

Presenters:  

• Cara Carter, Director of Real Estate Operations, Housing Authority of Jackson County 
• Kelly Paine, Senior Regional Property Manager, Guardian Real Estate Services LLC 
• Maria Elena Guerra, Executive Director, Farmworker Housing Development Corporation & Evolve 
• Nicole Loun, Regional Property Manager, Cushman & Wakefield 

The Landscape of Evictions in Oregon and State-Funded Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Programs

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: D137-40

Description: The number of evictions filed in Oregon are on the rise, with Portland State University research finding a rate of one eviction case for every twenty renter households in 2024. Simultaneously, in 2024 over 25,000 Oregonians experienced homelessness for the first time according to HUD system performance measures. This session will discuss the current landscape of evictions in Oregon and the acute human and financial costs of eviction. This will be followed by an overview of the availability of state-funded eviction and homelessness prevention programs through Oregon Housing and Community Services, and how these programs are positioned to respond to this crisis despite a 66% reduction in eviction prevention funding from the 23-25 biennium to the 25-27 biennium.

Tracks: Equity & Racial Justice; Homelessness

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Presenters: 

• Sharon Fitzgerald, Assistant Director of Housing Retention, Oregon Housing and Community Services
• Emily Edwards, Prevention Policy and Planning Analyst, Oregon Housing and Community Service

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: E141-44

Distressed Properties: A Roadmap For Action

Description: The workshop brings together perspectives of lenders, investors, and developers to examine the current issues affecting distressed properties, identify challenges in restructuring those properties including legal and regulatory,  and look at potential solutions.  The goal is for participants to be more informed of the issues with the outcome so they can develop steps for a path forward.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Pacific NW’s Affordable Housing Network

Presenters: 

• Kathy Swift, President, Pacific NW’s Affordable Housing Network  
• Alexandra Bartos-O’Neill, Managing Associate, Orrick
• Margaret Salazar, CEO, Reach CDC
• Sarah Williams, Director, Enterprise Community Partners

Five Years In – The State Of Our Homeless Services Systems And What Comes Next

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: E145-6

Description: Hear from executive leaders at all four jurisdictions about the progress made in homeless services systems through the SHS measure and in regionalizing our systems of care. Learn about changes in each county, and how county systems are intentionally being knit together to create regional standards of care. Leaders will reflect on continued challenges and areas of improvement that remain  to further public trust and confidence for future reinvestment, and welcome feedback as we prepare for the work ahead. Panelists will include Molly Rogers  (Wash Co), Nathaniel VerGow (Mult Co), Liam Frost (Metro) and Shannon Callahan(Clack Co).

Tracks: Policy & Advocacy, Homelessness; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Washington County, Department of Housing Services

Moderator: Gabi Duarte, Community Relations Manager, Washington County Department of Housing Services 

Presenters: 

• Molly Rogers, Director, Department of Housing Services Washington County
• Nathaniel VerGow, Director, Homeless Services Department, Multnomah County
• Shannon Callahan, Director, Housing and Community Development, Clackamas County
• Liam Frost, Director, Housing Department, Metro

Deploying Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Locally: Partnerships That Work

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: E147-8

Description: As statewide down payment assistance (DPA) resources tighten, local partnerships are increasingly critical to sustaining homeownership opportunities across Oregon. This session brings together leaders from financial institutions and Oregon Housing and Community Services to explore how DPA can be effectively deployed through coordinated, community-based approaches. Panelists will share current community lending strategies and DPA products, followed by a discussion on aligning FLEX funding, Community Reinvestment Act priorities, Federal Home Loan Bank resources, and local partnerships to better serve first-time and first-generation homebuyers. Participants will gain practical insight into what is working today, where deployment gaps exist, and how to strengthen collaboration between lenders, nonprofits, and public agencies. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to increase DPA utilization and build effective local homeownership ecosystems. 

Tracks: Community Reinvestment; Equity & Racial Justice; Homeownership

Host Organization: Prosperity Path Advisors LLC

Moderator: Juan Campos, Consultant & Moderator, Prosperity Path Advisors LLC

Presenters:  

• Scott Shaw, Assistant Director of Homeownership/Lending, Oregon Housing & Community Services
• Mark Wilson, Home Lending Market Leader, KeyBank
• Qualen Carter, VP, Community Lending Mgr, Columbia Bank
• Jennifer Larsen,VP, Community Development Manager,Banner Bank
• Joseph Portillo, Community Lending Officer, Washington Trust Bank

Preserving Unregulated Affordable Housing Through Clean Energy Upgrades

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: F150-151

Description: Unregulated affordable rental housing provides critical low-cost housing for lower-income residents but often lacks the resources for necessary upgrades. In Portland, 75% of households earning less than 80% of the area median income in multifamily housing live in unregulated properties. Without intervention, these homes risk being sold, upgraded, and priced out of affordability, displacing vulnerable residents.

Join us to explore the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund’s (PCEF) newest program, which aims to deliver clean energy upgrades to 2,500 unregulated affordable multi-unit rental housing while ensuring long-term affordability. Learn how energy improvements can preserve housing stock, enhance resident health and safety, reduce costs, and cut carbon emissions. Hear from our program team about centering tenant perspectives, preventing displacement, and creating win-win solutions for property owners and residents. Engage with panelists and contribute your ideas to this vital conversation on housing stability, climate resiliency, and community reinvestment.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Clean Energy & Climate Resiliency; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) 

Moderator: Mekha Abraham, Associate Director, TRC

Presenters: 

• Wendy Koelfgen, Multi-unit Housing Programs Manager, Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF)
• Tim Davis, Senior Program Manager, Elevate
• Pam Phan, Executive Director, Unite Oregon

Aligning Policy, Practice, and Access: Building a Housing Accessibility Roadmap

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Room: F152

Description: This workshop presents a Housing Accessibility Roadmap designed to increase the supply, quality, and affordability of accessible housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The session will explore strategies to match people with disabilities to accessible dwelling units, expand affordable housing for people with I/DD, strengthen tenant protections, and advance legislation that align incentives and regulations to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities. The goals of the session are to build shared understanding across sectors, spark collaboration among partners, and ground advocacy efforts in practical, actionable guidance. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas for applying the roadmap in development, policy, and advocacy with clear next steps for influencing local and state-level housing systems.

Tracks: Serving People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Host Organization: Community Vision

Presenters: 

• Allen Hines, Housing Access Director, Community Vision
• Jennifer Knapp, Executive Director, Community Vision

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Grief and Loss on Property and Your Role

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: D133-4

Description: Communities manage grief and loss in different ways.  This workshop will offer time and space to consider culture, race and community when Resident Services staff must lead during times of grief.  There will be time for sharing and time for learning about new ideas and resources.

Tracks: Resident Services

Host Organization: Pulse Wellness Cooperative

Presenter:  Rosanne Marmor, CEO, Pulse Wellness Cooperative

From Sanctuary to Shelter: Redeveloping Church Land for Mission-Aligned Housing

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: D135-6

Description: Across Housing Oregon communities, faith organizations are asking how their land and buildings can better serve today’s urgent housing needs. This panel explores emerging partnerships between churches, nonprofit developers, community organizations, and an architecture firm to transform underutilized places of worship into mixed-use affordable housing that integrates worship space, community-focused tenants, and supportive services—honoring congregational identity while expanding local impact.

Representing architecture, pastoral leadership, and nonprofit development, panelists will share lessons from the design phase: navigating emotion and legacy, aligning mission and finance, engaging congregations, and addressing regulatory and site challenges unique to church-owned land. Attendees will gain practical insights into building trust, shaping meaningful design, and advancing equitable housing through values-driven redevelopment.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Land Use, Land Banking, Site Control, Infrastructure

Host Organization: Access Architecture

Moderator: Brendan Sanchez, Principal and Founder, Access Architecture

Presenters: 

• Carolyn Kruger, Project Manager, Access Architecture
• Trell Anderson, Executive Director, Northwest Housing Alternatives
• Garrett Runck, Real Estate Development Project Manager, Real Estate Development, Hacienda CDC
• Reverend Dr. Dennis Payne, First AME Zion Church of Portland
• Anna Hoesly, Lead Organizer + Faith Land Discernment and Development Advisor, Leaven Community Land + Housing Coalition
• Julia Nielsen, Director of Organizing, Land and Housing Coalition, Leaven Community

State Of Oregon Qualified Allocation Plan Update And Current Market For Low Income Housing Tax Credits

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: D137-40

Description: The Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) is updated every other year and describes OHCS’ priorities for how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) will be used. The QAP is one of the key areas where Oregon can tailor the program to address state and local goals. Oregon’s allocation plan provides both a competitive and non-competitive process for awarding tax credits to developments that address the state’s low-income housing needs. The plan also includes other selection criteria, such as resident services, site amenities and unmet housing needs. Participants in this session will have an opportunity to provide input about the QAP and learn from tax credit investors about national trends in underwriting and risk assessment for LIHTC projects.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Moderator: Kelso Brasunas, Financial Strategy Lead, OHCS

Presenters: 

• Jacqueline Santiago, LIHTC Program Manager, OHCS
• Ann T Melone, SVP & Business Development Officer, U. S. Bancorp Impact Finance  
• Claire Parisa, Director of LIHTC Originations, Enterprise Community Partners
• Cat Vielma, Director of LIHTC Equity Originations, Red Stone Equity Partners
• Heather Gramp, Preservation Strategy Lead, OHCS

Portland’s Study of Social Housing and Alternative Housing Models: Recommendations and Next Steps

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: E141-44

Description: Portland, like many cities across the nation and world, is dealing with rising housing costs, a shortage of affordable homes, and decreased stability for residents. In April 2025, Portland City Council approved a landmark resolution to study social housing and other alternative and innovative models, and to develop recommendations that can be implemented locally.  

At this panel, speakers from the Portland Housing Bureau will share key findings, recommendations, and next steps. Topics discussed will include strategies and tools in land banking, alternative financing models, cooperative ownership, community land trusts, tenant protections and stability, and the role of design in creating increased housing stability and socially connected communities.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Policy & Advocacy; Homeownership

Host Organization: Portland Housing Bureau

Presenters: 

• Jennifer Chang, Senior Housing Policy Analyst, Portland Housing Bureau
• Others TBD 

The Role of Private Capital in Affordable Housing Preservation: Non-LIHTC Approaches

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: E145-6

Description: With public funding limited and LIHTC allocations not available at the push of a button, we’ll discuss some affordable housing preservation and capacity building ideas that involve private capital. 

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Homeownership; Property & Asset Management

Presenters: 

• Bjorn Beer,Vice President and Consultant,SVN
• Thomas Geffner, Development Manager, Great Expectations

Overcoming NIMBY: Turning Opposition into Opportunity

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: E147-8 

Description: Reframing community resistance as a predictable and solvable part of developing community enhancing projects. Drawing from real-world case studies in Oregon, this breakout session offers a practical framework for anticipating NIMBY dynamics, engaging neighbors before opposition takes hold, and transforming critics into project champions. Attendees will learn proven engagement strategies, from early listening sessions and design pivots to Good Neighbor Agreements and relationship-based advocacy that builds long-term trust. Through candid lessons from permanent supportive housing and recovery campus projects, the session moves beyond theory into actionable tools architects, developers, and public agencies can apply immediately. Participants will leave with strategies to reduce entitlement risk, strengthen approvals, and design housing that works not just for residents, but for the surrounding community.

Tracks: Policy & Advocacy; Permanent Supportive Housing; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Pinnacle Architecture

Moderator: Briana Manfrass, President, Pinnacle Architecture

Presenters: 

• Rick Russell, Executive Director, Mountain View Community Development and Deschutes County Commissioner-Elect
• Lynne McConnell, Executive Director, Housing Works  
• Ryan Cain, Principal, Pinnacle Architecture

The Michigan Model: A State-Based Approach to Advancing Tribal and Native Housing

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: F149

Description: This session explores a replicable, state-based model for advancing Tribal and Native American housing development, using Michigan as a case study. Since its 2023 launch, the initiative has fostered unprecedented engagement with Michigan’s Tribal Nations, led to equity-driven changes to the state’s LIHTC allocation process, and spurred development of 300–500 new affordable housing units.

Driven by Native and Tribal leadership, culturally appropriate training and technical assistance, and a committed partnership with the State of Michigan, this work has reshaped how housing resources are accessed, prioritized, and delivered in Tribal contexts. Presenters from the National American Indian Housing Council and BeauxSimone Consulting—along with key partners involved in the Michigan initiative—will share the model’s structure, lessons learned, and early outcomes. The session includes a dialogue on adapting this approach in other states, like Oregon. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how state systems can evolve to successfully support Tribal housing development.

Tracks: Equity & Racial Justice; Policy & Advocacy

Host Organization: National American Indian Housing Council

Presenters:  

• Maria Danz, Training and Technical Assistance Program Director, National American Indian Housing Council
• Zoe LeBeau, Supportive Housing Consultant, BeauxSimone Consulting

The Devil Is In The Details – Construction Contract, Vendor Agreement, And Insurance Clauses To Avoid

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: F150-151

Description: When things go wrong, contracts determine who is responsible. Affordable housing providers manage a wide range of agreements—construction and renovation contracts, vendor agreements, and evolving insurance policies—making it difficult for any one person to fully understand the risks in each.

This session is designed to highlight some of the most critical and potentially problematic contract terms—those that should be avoided or, at a minimum, clearly understood. Attendees will hear from two attorneys specializing in construction and vendor contracts, along with an insurance professional focused on affordable housing. Together, they will share practical insights and straightforward takeaways you can apply in your day-to-day work.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

Presenters:  

• Andy Oldenburg, Senior VP, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
• Angela Otto, Partner, Dunn Carney
• Gemma Nelson, Counsel, Dunn Carney

When and Why Mass Timber Pencils for Affordable Housing

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Room: F152

Description: As the AEC industry advances toward ambitious decarbonization goals, mass timber and Cross-Laminated Timber have emerged as transformative tools for sustainable development—yet their application in the affordable housing sector requires a nuanced approach to feasibility. This session provides a candid, data-driven comparison of three landmark Portland affordable housing projects that explored the strategic use of timber.

We will analyze hollywoodHUB, where a shift to post-tensioned concrete maximized unit density; Julia West House, Oregon’s tallest mass timber building, where schedule efficiencies and biophilic benefits for its permanent supportive housing residents created a successful value proposition; and the Broadway Corridor, an up-and-coming high-rise affordable housing project further expanding timber’s potential. By comparing site constraints, building programs, sustainability goals, and owner requirements, the speakers will illustrate the decision-making framework behind each choice. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how to align structural innovation with project mission and the financial bottom line.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Manufactured, Modular, CLT, Mass Timber; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Holst Architecture

Presenters:  

• Nici Stauffer, Senior Associate, Holst Architecture
• Dave Otte, Principal/Owner, Holst Architecture
• Mark Schmidt, Principal, Holst Architecture

Enjoy a buffet lunch, included with your registration.

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Winning the Next Generation of Housing Revenue in Oregon

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM Room: Exhibit Hall E

Description: Oregon has shown that local voters will support major housing investments when communities are organized and the public case is clear. The Portland Housing Bond, Metro Affordable Housing Bond, and Metro Supportive Housing Services measure have helped build and preserve homes, expand services, and create a model for local action.

Now, jurisdictions across the state are asking what comes next. This lunchtime plenary will bring together housing leaders and advocates to discuss the future of revenue for affordable housing and homelessness solutions. Panelists will share lessons from successful measures, efforts in communities outside the Portland metro area, and how Housing Oregon’s Housing Narrative Campaign can help build the public trust needed to win. Attendees will learn how they can be part of the next phase of Oregon’s housing movement.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance; Policy & Advocacy; Homeownership

Host Organization: Housing Oregon

Moderator:

• Board member, Housing Oregon

Presenters: 

• Karen Saxe, Sr. Director of Policy, Advocacy & Strategic Relationships, DevNW
• Brian Hoop, Executive Director, Housing Oregon
• Jake Weigler, Partner, Praxis Political
• Emily Lieb, Housing Bond Program Manager, Metro

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Housing as Healthcare Infrastructure: Climate-Resilient, Resident Centered, Affordable Housing in Oregon

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: D133-4

Description: For many low-income seniors, housing conditions directly determine health outcomes. As climate impacts intensify across Oregon, this panel explores how affordable housing can function as critical healthcare infrastructure for low-income residents. A developer, architect, contractor, resident services coordinator, and building performance expert share lessons learned from a new affordable senior housing development in North Portland’s Albina District (Margaret Carter Commons), integrating proven, field-tested frameworks including ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, and Earth Advantage Multifamily. We’ll focus on what performs in practice, including maintaining safe indoor temperatures during extreme heat and outages, protecting indoor air quality during wildfire smoke, reducing utility burden, and coordinating funding and partnerships with local agencies to deliver these outcomes, as well as where design, cost, and operational priorities may conflict. Attendees will gain proven, practical strategies and a replicable framework to deliver resilient housing that supports health, independence, and long-term stability.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance; Clean Energy & Climate Resiliency; Resident Services

Host Organization: Northwest Housing Alternatives

Moderator: Eric Foley, Associate Director, Certifications, Earth Advantage

Presenters: 

• Mary Bradshaw, Sr. Housing Developer ,Northwest Housing Alternatives
• Brian Layman, Project Manager, Walsh Construction
• Dariia Vernygora, Project Manager, Salazar Architect Inc.
• Tayler Blasko, Resident Services Coordinator, Northwest Housing Alternatives

Building Capacity of Shared Equity Homeownership Stewards Across Oregon

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: D135-6

Description: As Oregon invests in long term affordable homeownership through shared equity models—Community Land Trusts (CLTs), leasehold condominiums, limited equity cooperatives, and nonprofit land trusts—the need for durable, well resourced stewardship organizations has never been greater. Shared equity stewards play a critical long term role—protecting affordability, supporting homeowners, and managing the legal and operational obligations that keep homes stable and affordable for generations. This panel will explore Oregon’s evolving approach to strengthening the capacity, consistency, and resilience of shared equity stewards statewide. Building on the Spring 2026 Land Trust Practicum— organized by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), Proud Ground, and Habitat for Humanity Oregon—this session aims to reconvene the network for continued skill building, knowledge sharing, and discussion.

Tracks: Organizational Development & Staff Resilience; Rural Communities; Homeownership

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Moderator: Talia Kahn-Kravis, Assistant Director of Homeownership Programs, OHCS

Presenters:  

• Shannon Tennant, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Oregon
• Pooja Dalal, Housing Development Senior Manager, Self Enhancement, Inc.
• Eliza Wilson, Executive Director, Rooted Homes

Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA) Training

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: D137-40

Description: This session will provide guidance about key steps in the ORCA process and highlight proposed changes for 2027 based on feedback from applicants and lessons learned. This session will also focus on specific requirements related to project budgets, construction monitoring, draw requests and change orders. Participants will have an opportunity to ask the experts about funding available through the ORCA, and navigating the timeline from closing to Certificate of Occupancy, and leasing up units.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Homeownership; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Presenters: 

• Hattie Iott, Housing Production Manager, OHCS
• Casey Baumann, Construction Oversight Manager, OHCS
• Amy Cole, Assistant Director, Development Resources, OHCS
• Edward Brown, Development Applications Manager, OHCS

Supportive Housing Preservation: Tools and Resources to Strengthen Supportive Housing Developments Struggling with Financial and Operational Issues

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: E141-44

Description: Do you lend or invest in supportive housing projects? This session is a deep dive into helpful practices and tools that will assist in supportive housing preservation. While both Affordable and Supportive Housing developments may struggle with fiscal and operational challenges, Supportive Housing has the added layer of services that add to the complexity. Learn about Tools and Resources CSH has created to assist supportive housing owners and boards in managing their assets and improving operations within their portfolio. The session also includes time for attendees to share challenges they’ve experienced and approaches they’ve used successfully with Supportive Housing projects in their portfolio and to talk about additional tools and resources needed to stabilize projects.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Permanent Supportive Housing; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Corporation for Supportive Housing

Presenters:  

• Rae Trotta , Senior Program Manager, Northwest, Corporation for Supportive Housing 
• Rachel Mokry, Deputy Director, Loan Originations, CSH
• Jesse Benet, Northwest Director, Corporation for Supportive Housing

How Do You Rate: Credit Ratings for Housing Sponsors and Projects

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: E145-6

Description: Workshop will discuss how project sponsors can explore a credit rating to significantly expand the pool of potential project investors and lower borrowing costs.  The panel is anticipated to include representatives from S&P Ratings, OHCS, Raymond James and Orrick, along with NW Housing Alternatives and will feature NHA’s Sisters-Trinity Place Project as a case study.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Finance

Host Organization: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Moderator: Alexandra Bartos-O’Neill, Attorney,Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Presenters:  

• Michael Schrader, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
• Kelso Brasunas, Financial Strategy Lead, OHCS

Fair Housing Considerations for Case Managers and Advocates Working with People with IDD

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: E147-8

Description: The Fair Housing Council, in 2024, received a grant through the Fairview Trust to more deeply examine issues of housing discrimination and accessibility issues for people living with IDD. As part of this grant work, staff facilitated listening sessions statewide with people with lived experience, their family and support team members, and IDD service organizations. From this information, FHCO created trainings and educational materials that were informed and vetted by people with lived experiences. This work also included trainings for policy makers. FHCO has received continued funding through the KUNI Foundation to offer fair housing training to IDD service providers, social service organizations, and housing providers. 

This session will empower IDD service providers and advocates to support clients’ fair housing rights, with emphasis on disability protections with practical guidance to address discrimination. Insights from 2024 IDD community listening sessions will be shared.

Tracks: Serving People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD); Homelessness; Fair Housing

Host Organization: Fair Housing Council of Oregon

Presenters: 

• Shyle Ruder, Education and Outreach Director, Fair Housing Council of Oregon
• Jamie Gatewood, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Fair Housing Council of Oregon

Getting Mechanical Right: Key Decisions for Multifamily Housing

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: F149

Description: Gone are the days where a cove heater and operable windows suffice for heating and ventilation in the PNW. Mechanical systems in multifamily buildings have become a complex series of decisions for owners that weigh heavily on first costs, but continue to affect how buildings are managed and occupied. This panel explores how mechanical design integrates with building design and performance to meet evolving code requirements, energy goals, and budget realities. We’ll break down key considerations for affordable housing projects, including ventilation strategies, cooling, energy recovery, airtightness, and equipment selection. Panelists will also address common challenges: navigating complex codes, balancing upfront costs with lifecycle maintenance, and aligning system choices with owner goals. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to select and plan for mechanical systems that support durability, efficiency, and occupant well-being in today’s changing regulatory and climate landscape.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Clean Energy & Climate Resiliency

Host Organization: Walsh Construction

Moderator: Sharon Libby Eyerly, Quality Director, Walsh Construction

Presenters: 

• TBD

Changing Property Management – What Do We Need To Know?

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: F150-151

Description: Community Partners for Affordable Housing changed property management companies at two buildings in early 2026.  One is a 100% supportive housing community in downtown Portland, the other a large family community in Tualatin. Come hear from us and asset management experts about our experiences, what we learned, and how to make your next management change as smooth as possible. We will also look forward to hearing from the audience about their own experiences.

Tracks: Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Community Partners for Affordable Housing

Moderator: Rachael Duke, Executive Director, Community Partners for Affordable Housing

Presenters:  

• Jilian Saurage Felton, Housing Director, Community Partners for Affordable Housing
• Katherine Moore, Director of Programs, Community Partners for Affordable Housing
• Holly Benelli, Senior Asset Management Project Manager, Housing Development Center
• Andrea Kirch, Senior Asset Manager, Enterprise Community 

Process in Service of People: A Culturally Responsive Pathway to Housing for the Somali Community

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Room: F152

Description: What if we tailored our processes to serve the people — not the other way around?

Panelists from the Somali American Council of Oregon, Home Forward, and Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department will provide actionable insights from a collaborative, innovative, and efficient PSH lease-up process for Multnomah County’s Somali community.

The pathway to success? Home Forward rapidly converted an existing building into PSH units and used flexible, low-barrier, locally-funded vouchers. HSD employed a nimble, culturally responsive referral approach to serve a population invisible in the data and with barriers poorly captured by local metrics. SACCO centered the human dignity of future residents with cultural expertise, providing wrap-around support during all stages of the lease-up process.

Together, we can build better communities. Join us to learn more about how it was done!  

Tracks: Equity & Racial Justice; Permanent Supportive Housing

Host Organization: Multnomah County Homeless Services Department

Moderator: Jessica Karam, Program Manager, Home Forward

Presenters: 

• Musse Olol, President, Somali American Council of Oregon
• Hali Anderson, Program Specialist, Coordinated Access for Adults Team, Multnomah County Homeless Services Department
• Clara White, Program Specialist , Home Forward
• Trevion Crane, Property Manager, Home Forward

Workshop descriptions of August 18, 2026. Dates, times and rooms subject to change.

Designing for Belonging and Wellbeing in Intergenerational Communities

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: D133-4

Description: This session will explore how outcome-guided collaboration between spatial design and resident services builds community and supports improved resident health. Bridge Meadows and Carleton Hart Architecture have partnered for more than 20 years to develop intentional intergenerational communities, demonstrating measurable improvements in the well-being of residents across three generations. Representatives from both organizations will discuss their approach to moving beyond simply meeting the need for affordable housing to creating environments where neighbors support one another and work together to foster healthy, resilient communities. Attendees will gain insight into how designers and resident service providers can collaborate to create spaces that maximize the impact of robust service programs. Presenters will also share lessons learned from three established communities, along with several currently in development, and how this integrated approach addresses multiple challenges simultaneously.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Development & Design Fundamentals; Equity & Racial Justice; Resident Services

Host Organization: Carleton Hart Architecture

Presenters: 

• Melissa Soots, Project Manager, Associate, Carleton Hart Architecture
• Kira Thorien, Chief Operating Officer, Bridge Meadows

Permanently Affordable Housing Co-ops

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: D135-6

Description: Permanently affordable housing co-ops combine a community land trust with a limited-equity cooperative to create an accessible path to resident-owned housing, reaching households who face barriers to traditional homeownership. They provide long-term stability, collective control, and meaningful ownership—without requiring residents to qualify for individual mortgages. Since 2018, SquareOne Villages has developed four housing co-ops in Lane County, funded almost entirely through donations, grants, and one-time subsidies. However, with recent changes to Oregon’s LIFT Homeownership program, there is now a pathway for building co-ops statewide.

This session will present SquareOne’s Rosa Village—the first co-op to utilize LIFT financing—as a case study in building a more replicable model. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how CLT-LECs work in practice, what it takes to implement them, and how to structure similar projects in their own communities.

Tracks: Homeownership

Host Organization: SquareOne Villages

Presenters: 

• Andrew Heben, Executive Director, SquareOne Villages
• Jeff Albanese, Program Director, SquareOne Villages
• Chazandra Kern, Project Manager, SquareOne Village

Shredding the Safety Net – HR1 and Housing Providers

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: D137-40

Description: For people living in affordable housing, how do we ensure that they maintain, or obtain, access to critical health care resources including primary care, behavioral health care, and pharmaceuticals?   Join us for a conversation on how affordable housing providers and health care providers could work together to mitigate harm to the people we collectively serve.  Although changes are coming in a few months, there is a great deal to still determine.  Come to learn about what is changing and how we can partner to address it.

Tracks: Policy & Advocacy

Host Organization: Northwest Pilot Project

Moderator: Rachael Duke, Executive Director, Community Partners for Affordable Housing

Presenters:

• Adam Peterson, Portfolio Manager Healthcare and Homeless Services, Health Share
• Vanessa Dewees, Senior Director of Permanent Supportive Housing. New Narrative
• Angela Hastings, Senior Director of Case Management, Population Health and Clinical Operations, Health Net and Trillium Community Health Plan

Exploring a Regional Land Banking Strategy

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: E145-6

Description: As the City of Portland and Metro are both focused on meeting the metro region’s significant and growing affordable housing needs, rising land costs, displacement pressures, and the limited supply of development-ready sites threaten the ability to meet the challenge. Land banking has long been identified as one approach to addressing the region’s needs through coordinated, sustainable and effective strategies.  Attendees will learn about different land banking programs and structures and Portland and Metro’s collaboration to create a framework plan and a legislative concept.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Land Use, Land Banking; Site Control, Infrastructure; Policy & Advocacy

Host Organization: Portland Housing Bureau

Presenters: 

• Tanya Wolfersperger, Housing Development and Construction Services Manager, Portland Housing Bureau
• Andrea Pastor, Senior Development Project Manager, Metro 
• Matt Hoffman, Principal Planner, Maul Foster & Alongi  

Staying in Compliance with Fair Housing Law

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: E147-8

Description: In this workshop we will briefly explain who the Bureau of Labor and Industries is and the services we offer. We will then take a moment to discuss Fair Housing Law, and the role BOLI plays. Afterwards we will dive into BOLI’s Fair Housing jurisdiction and our prima facie elements and the process of our investigation.  We will go through case studies where we will review real cases BOLI investigators investigated. These will highlight common clear violations, misunderstood scenarios, trending violations, and less obvious instances of discrimination. We will also examine cases that determined no discrimination took place. 

We will explain how to access our technical assistance with an emphasis on how to improve compliance.  Providing you with the knowledge and tools needed to stay in compliance with Fair Housing law. Housing providers and related industries will learn steps to prevent complaints, resources BOLI has to offer, and how to better work with BOLI.  By the end of this workshop, you will leave with a better understanding of fair housing violations and the potential costs and consequences of violating fair housing law.

Tracks: Fair Housing

Host Organization: Bureau of Labor and Industries – Fair Housing

Presenters: 

• Cristo Rico, Learning & Development Specialist, Bureau of Labor and Industries – Fair Housing
• Michael Sterner, Fair Housing Enforcement Manager, Bureau of Labor and Industries – Fair Housing

Transforming Hillside Park: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Public Housing Redevelopment

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: F150-151

Description: This session uses the Hillside Park redevelopment as a case study to examine how aging public housing can be transformed into a resilient, mixed-income, master-planned community through coordinated, cross-sector collaboration. Rather than focusing solely on design, it highlights how developers, housing authorities, planners, designers, and builders align priorities, navigate constraints, and make critical decisions throughout a complex, phased redevelopment process.

Participants will gain practical insights into structuring public-private partnerships, assembling capital stacks, and delivering occupied redevelopment while minimizing disruption to residents. The session will also explore strategies for determining unit mix, integrating supportive housing, and incorporating sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure investment into long-term community planning. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, frameworks, and lessons learned that can inform redevelopment efforts across Oregon and similar contexts, particularly those involving aging housing stock and community transformation.

Tracks: Affordable Rental Housing – Preservation & Portfolio Stabilization; Permanent Supportive Housing; Property & Asset Management

Host Organization: Ankrom Moisan Architects

Moderator: Brad Bane, Affordable Housing Studio Leader, Ankrom Moisan Architects

Presenters:  

• Alec Lawrence, Project Manager, Related NW
• Nate Grein, Project Manager, Related NW
• Devin Ellin, Director of Housing Development, Housing Authority of Clackamas County
• Vera Kolias, Planning Manager, City of Milwaukie
• Brandon Fassiotto, Project Manager, Walsh Construction
• Robert Lecher, Project Manager, Ankrom Moisan Architects

Oregon’s Prevailing Wage Rate Laws on Affordable Housing Projects

Tuesday, September 29

Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Room: F149

Description: This session will focus on Oregon’s Prevailing Wage Rate (PWR) laws and when they may apply to affordable housing projects. Topics will include the requirements for coverage of the PWR laws, the possible exemptions from the laws, and the requirements public agencies and contractors must follow when the PWR laws apply to a project. The goal of this session is to provide a better understanding of the interaction of the PWR laws and affordable housing projects.

Tracks: Policy & Advocacy

Host Organization: Bureau of Labor and Industries

Presenter: Susan Wooley, Senior Policy Analyst, Bureau of Labor and Industries