DHCR Participates in 10th Annual SHNNY Conference
DHCR participated recently in the Supportive Housing Network of New York's (SHNNY) 10th Annual Conference at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. More than 1,000 people attended what SHNNY Executive Director Ted Houghton noted has become the largest gathering of supportive housing providers and developers in the nation.
Houghton noted that since the 2009 conference, SHNNY has created 1,019 new supportive housing units, and said, "The evolution of this conference tracks the growth of supportive housing in New York, and with the help of our members we are achieving miracles every day."
Brian Lawlor, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and CEO/President of "nyhomes" took part in "An Affordable Housing Summit" workshop along with Rafael Cestero, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and Mark Jahr, President of the NYC Housing Development Corporation. The panel addressed the economic crisis and the ways the agencies have met new challenges in creating affordable and supportive housing.
Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, delivered the morning Key Note address. Poppe noted that President Obama's 2011 Budget will include new collaborations among the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Health and Human Services, and the Department of Education, and undertaking two new programs that combine Housing Choice Vouchers and Health and Human Services funding.
The evening Key Note address was given by former Bronx Boro President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., who was recently named Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. Among the messages from the Obama administration that Carrion delivered was the value placed on innovations in the field originating from the ground up, rather than from the federal government.
The Supportive Housing Network of New York represents over 190 nonprofit organizations that develop and operate supportive housing across the state. Established in 1988 SHNNY is the voice of the provider community and has created by far the largest, best managed and most innovative supportive housing stock in the nation.
Representatives of DHCR participated in the following workshops:
Weatherization 2,0: Next step for Buildings, Tenants and New York State
The panel discussed the impact of weatherization and strategies for engaging building staff, tenants, and management in more energy-efficient approaches to maintenance.
Participants: Daniel Buyer, Regional Director, Syracuse Regional Office Assistant commissioner for WAP ARRA Initiatives, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal; David Hepinstall, Executive Director, Association for Energy Affordability, Inc.; Ernesto Vigoreaux, Director of Housing Development, Comunilife, Inc. Moderator: Ariel Krasnow, SHNNY.
Financing Opportunities in Challenging Times
This Multi state panel discussed innovative approaches each state is taking to develop the supportive housing pipeline in the Northeast. Panelist compared and contrasted each state's creative responses to financing development projects.
Participants: Lorrie Pizzola, Deputy Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal; Bruce Blumenthall, Special Needs and Supportive Housing Ombudsman, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency; Tina Brooks, Undersecretary, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dept. of Housing and Community Development; Dara Kovel, Chief Housing Officer, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; Tim Marx, Executive Director, Common Ground Community. Moderator: Deborah VanAmerongen, Strategic Policy Adviser, Nixon Peabody LLP.
How to Prepare for Year 15
Year 15 is a transitional milestone for tax credit-financed supportive housing programs. This panel presented a roadmap of strategic options and offered practical guidance on designing and executing a successful Year 15 plan.
Participants: David Muniz, Regional Supervisor, New York City Asset Management Unit, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal; Lisa Deller, Vice President-Asset Management, National Equity Fund; Gabrielle Geller, Deputy Director-Year 15 Program, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development; Russell A. Kivler, Partner, Hirschen, Singer and Epstein; Laura Tavormina, Deputy Director, West Side Federation for Seniors and Supportive Housing. Moderator: David Goldstein, Goldstein Hall PLLC
Last Updated: 06/16/10