Schedule

Monday Jun 21 Tuesday Jun 22 Wednesday Jun 23 Thursday Jun 24

Plenary Session: Washington Update

NCSHA’s policy team and federal agency officials brief allocating agency representatives on the Housing Credit legislative and regulatory landscape. Hear the latest on congressional initiatives impacting the Credit, emergency rental assistance, IRS program guidance and compliance activity, HUD regulatory issues, and other program developments.

PARTICIPANTS
James Holmes, Senior Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service
George Lydford, Senior Program Analyst, Examination Quality and Technical Support | Internal Revenue Service
Garth Rieman, Director of Housing Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives | National Council of State Housing Agencies
Ginny Sardone, Director, Office of Affordable Housing Programs | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Jennifer Schwartz, Director of Tax and Housing Advocacy | National Council of State Housing Agencies
James Tassos, Deputy Director of Tax Policy and Strategic Initiatives | National Council of State Housing Agencies
Dillon Taylor, Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service
Michael Torruella, General Attorney, Tax, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service

Break

Concurrent Meet-Ups

Housing Credit Development Community Meet-Up

Allocating agency development officials share program administration experiences and explore emerging issues in Housing Credit allocation, underwriting, and development.

DICUSSION LEADER
Anne Berman, Assistant Director of Development | RIHousing
Christine Moran, Managing Director, Multifamily Finance Department | Illinois Housing Development Authority

Housing Credit Compliance Community Meet-Up

Allocating agency compliance officials share program monitoring experiences and explore emerging issues in Housing Credit compliance and management.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Erica Etterling, Rental Compliance Support Manager | Virginia Housing
Shannon Nardinelli, Compliance Section – Senior Program Manager | California Tax Credit Allocation Committee

Break

Plenary Session: Ask the Legal and Accounting Experts

Veteran tax advisors take questions from allocating agency representatives and offer perspectives on hot topics in Housing Credit development, finance, and compliance.

PARTICIPANTS
Jerry Breed, Principal | Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
Anthony Freedman, Partner | Holland & Knight LLP
Beth Mullen, Partner | CohnReznick LLP
Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner | Novogradac & Company LLP

Opening Plenary: A Blueprint for Furthering Racial Equity with the Housing Credit

Join us as we explore allocating agency and industry initiatives designed to promote equality in affordable housing development, finance, and property operations. Discuss how policies on Housing Credit site selection, developer experience, and resident screening are being reexamined under an equity lens and how investment criteria and tenant empowerment strategies provide further opportunities to advance equality in the program. Learn new strategies to promote the Housing Credit as a vehicle to create opportunity and a more equitable society.

WELCOME
Stockton Williams, Executive Director | National Council of State Housing Agencies

DISCUSSION LEADER
Margaret Salazar, Director | Oregon Housing and Community Services and Vice Chair | NCSHA Board of Directors

PANELISTS
Priscilla Almodovar, President and CEO | Enterprise Community Partners
Buwa Binitie, Managing Principal | Dantes Partners
Desiree Francis, Managing Vice President and Head of Community Finance | Capital One
Matt Reilein, President and CEO | National Equity Fund, Inc.

Sponsored by:

Break

Concurrent Sessions

2021 Housing Credit Legislative Outlook

With Democratic control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, 2021 presents what may be the best opportunity in a decade to expand and strengthen the Housing Credit. DC insiders discuss how the Housing Credit could be impacted by transformative infrastructure legislation Congress is now considering and the prospects for a major cap increase, lowering the bond finance threshold to 25 percent, and other program improvements.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Jennifer Schwartz, Director of Tax and Housing Advocacy | National Council of State Housing Agencies

PARTICIPANTS
Emily Cadik, Executive Director | Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
Will Fischer, Senior Director for Housing Policy and Research | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Senior
Peter Lawrence, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations | Novogradac & Company LLP
Ayrianne Parks, Senior Director, Public Policy | Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
Robert Rozen, Policy Consultant | RRozen Associates

Sponsored by:

Post-Pandemic Monitoring

As the industry prepares for the return of traditional monitoring requirements, learn about new protocols to ensure the safety of residents and compliance inspectors. Explore strategies for managing the backlog of physical inspections, capitalizing on tenant file review efficiencies, and minimizing the impact of deferred maintenance and noncompliance on properties.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Todd Folse, Compliance Director| Lousiana Housing Corporation

PARTICIPANTS
Jennifer Call, Director or Affordable Housing Asset Management | U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation
Patricia Hensley, Vice President – Compliance | Kittle Property Group, Inc.
Jeffrey Promnitz, Chief Executive Officer | Zeffert & Associates, Inc.
Dillon Taylor, Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service

Strategies for Managing Construction Cost and Risk

In this session, we discuss the current construction material shortages and the impact on Housing Credit development budgets and project feasibility. Explore trends in construction cost escalation, the outlook for volatile lumber pricing, and the impact of material shortages on project timelines. Hear about allocating agency and industry strategies to encourage responsible cost containment.

DISCUSSION LEADER
JD Bondurant, Director of Tax Credit Programs | Virginia Housing

PARTICIPANTS
Jeff Huggett, Vice President and Project Partner | Dominium
Jeff Kittle, President and Chief Executive Officer | Kittle Property Group, Inc.
Mary Tingerthal, President | Tingerthal Group LLC
Tom Tomaszewski, President | The Annex Group

Break

Concurrent Sessions

Expanding Opportunities Through New Homelessness Funding

New policy initiatives are underway to develop permanent supportive housing for vulnerable populations with the Credit. Learn about hotel conversion strategies and other new opportunities to develop housing for people experiencing homelessness using the $5 billion HOME for Homelessness Assistance in the American Rescue Plan Act, as well as other financing tools.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Rebecca Frawley Wachtel, Director, LIHTC and HOME Programs | Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development

PARTICIPANTS
Mercedes Brown, Director, Michigan Corporation for Supportive Housing | Corporation for Supportive Housing
Debbie Burkart, National Vice President, Supportive Housing | National Equity Fund, Inc.
Andrea Ponsor, President and Chief Executive Officer | Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future
Ginny Sardone, Director, Office of Affordable Housing Programs | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Mary Tingerthal, President | Tingerthal Group LLC

Implementation of the 4 Percent Floor in Tax-Exempt Bond Deals

With enactment of the 4 percent minimum rate, more tax-exempt bond-financed properties are financially feasible than ever before. Discuss how the minimum rate is increasing bond cap demand, altering the type of properties receiving allocations, and changing the typical capital stack. Learn how states are prioritizing projects to maximize bond resources and how the industry is structuring 4 percent deals as we await regulatory clarity on the 4 percent rate.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Masouda Omar, Managing Director of Multifamily Programs | Connecticut Housing Finance Authority

PARTICIPANTS
Anthony Freedman, Partner | Holland & Knight LLP
James Holmes, Senior Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service
Tyler Kalachnik, Partner | Ice Miller LLP
Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner | Novogradac & Company LLP
Michael Torruella, General Attorney, Tax, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service

Tenant Qualification Seminar

In this session, discuss essential aspects of Housing Credit tenant qualification, including income verification and documentation rules, tenant selection and affirmative fair housing marketing plans, general public use and Section 8 nondiscrimination provisions, application of student rules, tenant income certification practices, and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) requirements.

PARTICIPANTS
Scott Michael Dunn, Chief Executive Officer/Principal | Costello Compliance
Stephanie Naquin, Multifamily Compliance | Novogradac & Company LLP

Concurrent Sessions

Challenges in Average Income Test Implementation

Hear about development and compliance experiences in Average Income Test (AIT) properties and the outlook for the new minimum set-aside. We discuss the practical impacts of deal structuring and unit designation policies on project lease-up and compliance requirements, as well as industry reactions to proposed IRS rules, the likelihood and timing of potential regulatory changes, and developer and investor perspectives on the feasibility of future AIT deals.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Renee Dickinson, Multifamily Compliance Manager | Minnesota Housing

PARTICIPANTS
Jen Brewerton, Vice President of Compliance | Dominium
Melissa Donahue, Division Manager, Asset Management and Compliance | Washington State Housing Finance Commission
James Holmes, Senior Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service
Thomas Stagg, Partner | Novogradac & Company LLP
Dillon Taylor, Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel | Internal Revenue Service

Effective Capital Needs Assessments

Learn how to determine rehabilitation needs accurately with a capital needs assessment that analyzes the site’s existing condition, utilities, structural elements, roofing, mechanical systems, plumbing, and interior finishes. Explore necessary improvements to energy efficiency and physical accessibility in the context of establishing a plan for cost-effective rehabilitation.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Cindy Deakyne, Housing Development Administrator | Delaware State Housing Authority

PARTICIPANTS
Nick Andersen, Vice President and Project Partner | Dominium
Mark English, President  | E&A Team, Inc.
Scott Precourt, Founder | US Housing Consultants
Amy Williams, Director of Asset Management | Kittle Property Group, Inc.

Sponsored by:

Break

Concurrent Sessions

QAP Policy Forum

State Credit agencies are evaluating qualified allocation plan (QAP) priorities in response to demographic shifts, development cost increases, preservation challenges, tax-exempt bond demand, potential climate impact, rural housing needs, and policy initiatives related to the pandemic and social justice and environmental advocacy. Discuss trends in QAP policies and the impact of potential legislative changes to plan requirements.

DISCUSSION LEADER
James Tassos, Deputy Director of Tax Policy and Strategic Initiatives | National Council of State Housing Agencies

PARTICIPANTS
Dana Bartolomei, Housing and Energy Efficiency Policy Associate | National Housing Trust
Alissa Ice, Director of Housing Development| Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
Mark Shelburne, Senior Manager, Public Policy | Novogradac & Company LLP
Sendy Soto, Managing Deputy Commissioner | City of Chicago, Department of Housing

The Impact of New Partnership Audit Rules

New accounting rules for amending federal partnership tax returns are causing major changes in the Housing Credit industry. Learn the details of the new tax rules and the significant implications of delayed IRS Form 8609 issuance on the investors’ ability to claim Housing Credits.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Bob Peterson, Manager, Multifamily Housing and Community Facilities Division | Washington State Housing Finance Commission

PARTICIPANTS
Michael Gaber, Executive Vice President | WNC & Associates, Inc.
Forrest Milder, Partner | Nixon Peabody LLP
Dirk Wallace, Partner | Novogradac & Company LLP

Understanding Reasonable Accommodation

In this session, we discuss the fair housing rules related to reasonable accommodation requests, including requests for assistance animals. Learn how reasonable accommodation and emergency transfer rules under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) impact management and compliance in Housing Credit properties.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Susan Westbrook, Manager of Rental Assets | North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

PARTICIPANTS
Amanda Gross, Vice President of Training and Compliance Policy | US Housing Consultants
Scott Moore, Attorney | Baird Holm LLP
Marie Peace, Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer | The Franklin Johnston Group

Break

Concurrent Sessions

Capitalizing on State Tax Credits

As multifamily gap financing continues to be scarce, developers increasingly are utilizing state tax credits to enhance the financial feasibility of Housing Credit deals. In this session, we explore the structure and mechanics of various state tax credit programs, strategies to maximize the value of credits, and the impact of these credits on financial structuring and equity pricing.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Jill Cromartie, Division Director, Housing Finance and Development | Georgia Department of Community Affairs/Georgia Housing and Finance Authority

PARTICIPANTS
Paul Cummings, Senior Vice President, Director of Originations and Capital Markets | National Affordable Housing Trust
Michael Kressig, Partner | Novogradac & Company LLP
Beth Mullen, Partner | CohnReznick LLP
Matt Rule, Senior Vice President, Housing Development | National Church Residencies

Modernizing Compliance Monitoring

The pandemic required the Housing Credit industry to embrace new technologies and virtual alternatives to standard compliance practices. Discuss the technological advances in tenant qualification procedures, use of electronic signatures, and virtual physical inspections, and learn to what extent these new compliance practices may be here to stay.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Jennifer Henderson, Director Planning and Housing Development | North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

PARTICIPANTS
Missy Covington, Vice President, Compliance | Raymond James
Kelly Encinias, ProLinkHFA Product Owner | ProLink Solutions, Inc.
Allen Feliz, Vice President, Affordable and Public Housing | MRI Software/TCAM
Jed Graef, Housing Business Manager | HDS Companies

Sponsored by:

Partnerships to Advance Healthier Affordable Housing

HFAs and their industry partners are working with health care companies on design innovations that promote resident health outcomes in Housing Credit developments. Explore best practices and financing tools to advance healthier design, including telehealth access, improved indoor air quality, and resident services.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Matt Rayburn, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Real Estate Development Officer | Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority

PARTCIPANTS
Kimberlee Cornett, Director, Impact Investments | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Sandra Serna, Vice President, Health and Housing | Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future
Patrick Sheridan, Principal | Sheridan Consulting, LLC
Sharon Wilson Géno, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, National Services | Volunteers of America

Sponsored by:

Break

Concurrent Sessions

Emergency Rental Assistance Primer

The economic fallout from the pandemic exacerbated the rental housing crisis, prompting an unprecedented response from Washington: the creation of a $46 billion Emergency Rental Assistance program. Learn how the program works, who it serves, how states and their partners are implementing it, and how it can assist Housing Credit residents and owners.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Jennifer Schwartz, Director of Tax and Housing Advocacy | National Council of State Housing Agencies

PARTICIPANTS
Taryn Lewis, Director of Compliance | BH Management Services
Denise Lord, Senior Director, Communications and Planning | MaineHousing
Scott Michael Dunn, Chief Executive Officer/Principal | Costello Compliance

Sponsored by:

Enhancing Public Policy with Portfolio Data

In this session, discuss opportunities to use Housing Credit development data to inform public policy, market studies, underwriting criteria, and asset management. Explore trends in income and rent limits, vacancy rates, operating expenses, and financial performance, as well as the impact of demographic shifts, multifamily delinquencies, and eviction moratoria on portfolio performance.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Brian Miller, Director, Asset Management | Colorado Housing and Finance Authority

PARTICIPANTS
Mikiyon Alexander, Senior Director and Sector Head, U.S. Public Finance Housing | Fitch Ratings
Cindy Fang, Partner | CohnReznick LLP
Ryan Kim, Director of Product Marketing | ProLink Solutions, Inc.
Elaine Magil, Director, Advisory & Transactions | MRI Software/TCAM

RAD Development and Repositioning Strategies

As HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) expands to additional property types, we discuss the policy impacts of a dramatic repositioning of the nation’s public housing stock as well as deal structuring and underwriting strategies for RAD developments using Credits, tax-exempt bonds, and HUD financing and the challenges of multiple program requirements on transactions.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Josie Kotsioris, Director of Multifamily Programs | Tennessee Housing Development Agency

PARTICIPANTS
Tom Davis, Director, Office of Recapitalization | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Tim Leonhard, Senior Managing Director | Berkadia Affordable
Tony Love, Senior Vice President, Affordable Housing and FHA Lending | Bellwether, Enterprise Real Estate Capital, LLC
Deborah VanAmerongen, Strategic Policy Advisor, Government Relations and Public Policy, Affordable Housing | Nixon Peabody LLP

Networking Event: The “Big Night In” Trivia Contest

Ready for a little friendly competition? Grab your favorite cold (or hot) beverage and join colleagues and friends from the Housing Credit community for a hilarious hour of trivia. Test your knowledge of pop culture, sports, science, history, movies, music, fashion, and more in an interactive game show format. You’ll need an Apple or Android device — and maybe a lifeline or two — to respond to a mix of multiple-choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank trivia questions. The winners will enjoy cash prizes and significant bragging rights!

Sponsored by:

Concurrent Sessions

Housing Credit Equity Market Outlook

Housing Credit investors and syndicators provide an update on 2021 equity market activity. Hear perspectives on Credit pricing trends, the increased volume of tax-exempt bond deals, Average Income Test developments, new partnership audit rules, potential changes to the corporate tax rate and investor base, syndicator consolidation activity, investment in rural developments, and asset management.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Anthony Zeto, Deputy Director | California Tax Credit Allocation Committee

PARTICIPANTS
Iris Bashein, Senior Vice President, Tax Credit Investments | Bank of America
Tony Bertoldi, Co President | CREA, LLC
Reena Bramblett, Senior Vice President, Equity Placement | National Equity Fund, Inc.
Dana Brown, Vice President, LIHTC Investments | Fannie Mae
Vihar Sheth, Director of Business Development – Equity | U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation

Sponsored by:

Multiple Subsidy Compliance Challenges

Compliance and management experts reconcile different compliance requirements in Housing Credit developments with multiple subsidies. Explore the impact of various subsidies on tenant income calculations, rent limits and rent increases, utility allowances, student eligibility, treatment of over-income tenants, and approaches to noncompliance correction.

PARTICIPANTS
Amanda Gross, Vice President of Training and Compliance Policy | US Housing Consultants
Gary Kirkman, Director of Compliance Training | E&A Team, Inc.
Stephanie Naquin, Multifamily Compliance | Novogradac & Company LLP

Break

Concurrent Sessions

Housing Credit Preservation Forum

Discuss significant challenges to preservation of the Housing Credit portfolio, including year 15 threats such as qualified contracts, legal challenges to rights of first refusal, and modification of extended use agreements, as well as the expiration of affordability restrictions at year 30. We explore new policy initiatives and preservation financing options for the universe of at-risk properties.

DISCUSSION LEADER
Garth Rieman, Director of Housing Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives | National Council of State Housing Agencies

PARTICIPANTS
Jesse Elton, Director of Finance | The Community Builders, Inc.
Scott Hoekman, President and Chief Executive Officer | Enterprise Housing Credit Investments
Ellen Lurie Hoffman, Federal Policy Director | National Housing Trust
Jenny Netzer, Managing Director, TCAM | MRI Software/TCAM
Robert Snow, Vice President Dispositions | National Equity Fund, Inc.

Sponsored by:

Section 8 Seminar: The Basics of PBV, PBRA, HCV, and RAD

Learn how Section 8 rental assistance programs, including project-based vouchers (PBV), project-based rental assistance (PBRA), and Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), impact Housing Credit development and compliance requirements. Discuss Section 8 rules for income and rents and specific issues related to Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) deals.

PARTICIPANTS
Sheryl Putnam, Senior Director of Professional Services | Nan McKay & Associates, Inc.
Samantha Sowards, Manager of Curriculum Development and Senior Trainer | Nan McKay & Associates, Inc.

Break

Closing Plenary: The Intersection of Affordable Housing and Climate Change

Housing Credit industry leaders discuss how affordable housing fits into the national climate change agenda. The experts explore new strategies for sustainable development, green financing, and underwriting that promote climate stability and resident health outcomes; the threats posed by climate change to existing affordable housing developments; and new opportunities for disaster planning and resiliency.

DISCUSSION LEADER
James Tassos, Deputy Director of Tax Policy and Strategic Initiatives | National Council of State Housing Agencies

PARTICIPANTS
Priya Jayachandran, President | National Housing Trust
Timothy Judge, Vice President, Climate Impact | Fannie Mae
Nancee Robles, Executive Director | California Tax Credit Allocation Committee
Rebecca Schaaf, Senior Vice President, Energy | Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future
Cady Seabaugh, Senior Vice President, Director of New Markets Tax Credits and Strategic | McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc.

Sponsored by: