December 4, 2008
Contacts:
Douglas Robinson, 202-220-2360, drobinson@nw.org
Erin Angell Collins,
202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org
Rental Housing is Subject of NeighborWorks America Symposium
Financial Reform, Green Strategies and New Production Ideas Lead Full Day Agenda
Washington, D.C. –The NeighborWorks® America Training Institute, one of the premier community development education events in the country, will present a full day of expert discussions and analysis aimed at strengthening America’s rental housing market. The event takes place December 10 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C.
Rental housing is home for more than 37 million American families. More than one million more families will seek quality and affordable rental housing in 2009 as demand surges due to the hundreds of thousands of families facing foreclosure this year. The NeighborWorks America symposium, “The Future of Rental Housing: Policy to Preserve Choice for American Families” addresses six key areas that will help developers, investors and policy makers understand the stakes ahead.
- Financial Reform - There are many actors in federal housing finance: FHA/GNMA, Fannie, Freddie and the FHLBBs. In any reform of the system (which is now inevitable) how will the deck be re-arranged? How does multifamily housing fare in this? What about the investor base for tax credits, bond financing, small loans and new construction?
- Greening Existing Properties – Greening properties increases sustainability and reduces energy consumption and utility bills. New legislative initiatives could generate green jobs and new resources for achieving greater energy efficiency by leveraging public investment with private capital.
- New Strategies for Producing Family Housing – Exploring new approaches designed to create more financially viable properties and sponsoring organizations that are better able to provide and support meaningful resident services for the long term.
- Preserving Existing Housing – Omnibus legislation and regulatory reforms will be launched in the new Congress to facilitate the preservation and improvement of existing affordable apartments.
- Resources for Growing Rural Markets - Panelists and participants will think first about the scale of what is needed to meet rental housing needs in America's rural areas, with a focus on preserving existing affordable units, and then the hallmarks of legislation and policy to support the vision.
- Expanding Senior Housing with Supportive Services -Creative new policy strategies for senior housing tap into multiple streams of housing, medical, and transportation funding.
“Multifamily housing is a vital part of the American housing supply and home for tens of millions of families,” said NeighborWorks America CEO Ken Wade, “Rental homes are where a majority of young people launch their dreams as they build their careers and establish a firm financial footing. It’s also where many of society’s more vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and disabled, call home. Creative ways to maintain and strengthen this important part of the housing market are needed now more than ever.”
The symposium is presented in cooperation with the Housing Partnership Network; National Housing Conference; National Housing Trust, and Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future.
About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
