MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority)

Agenda - At - A Glance

8:00-9:00	Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking, Exhibits	11:45-1:15	Luncheon
9:10-9:15	Welcome, MaineHousing Board Chair Barbara Trafton	1:30-2:45	Concurrent Workshops II
9:15-9:30	MaineHousing Message, Director Dale McCormick	2:45-3:00	Afternoon Snack & Social, Exhibits
9:30-10:15	Featured Speaker, Congressman Barney Frank	3:00-4:15	Concurrent Workshops III
10:30-11:45	Concurrent Workshops I	4:15-4:30;	Wrap Up with Raffles

Workshop Descriptions

1. Faces of Homelessness

MaineHousing releases its first annual report on homelessness at this year's conference. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) information and other data show the progress towards the goals contained in Maine's Plan to End & Prevent Homelessness.
Moderator: Cindy Namer Panelists: Wes Phinney, Cullen Ryan

2. Everything You Want to Know about Housing Choice Vouchers

The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides tenants affordable rent – and much more, through options that help participants become self-sufficient and even buy a home. New programs also help owners and service providers. Learn more from panelists representing MaineHousing, Public Housing Authorities, and others.
Moderator: Maureen Brown Panelists: Brenda Brown, Bill Burney, Melany Mondello, Lisa Viola, Catherine Whitney

3. From Wall Street to Maine’s Streets; financing housing in today’s economy

Is the economy affecting the housing market -- or vice-versa? Learn more through a discussion of the housing bond market, the housing tax credit market, financial opportunities in new federal legislation, and which MaineHousing programs have evolved most to accommodate today’s economy.
Moderator: Adam Krea Panelists: Tom Cary, Kent Hiteshew, Bill Shanahan

4. Warm and Safe at Home

How is Maine helping families who will struggle to stay safe and warm this winter in the face of soaring energy costs? This session provides an overview of the Governor’s Pre-Emergency Energy Task Force Plan for emergency, short-term, and long-term responses to the energy crisis.
Moderator: Kathy Poulin Panelist: John Kerry

5. Innovative Approaches to Cutting Residential Energy Use

The cost of heating homes and apartments – and the carbon emission heating creates – both are rising. MaineHousing is improving energy efficiency and testing alternative fuel source technologies in the residential sector. Learn about innovative alternative energy technologies, including cold climate heat pumps, windmills, and solar thermal units. Also on the agenda: the new Carbon Market Project; and multi-family energy audits and their outcomes.
Moderator: Don McGilvery Panelists: Matthew Holden, John Joseph, Lucy Van Hook

6. Outlook for Low Income Housing Tax Credits

Pricing for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, one of our most vital housing finance resources, is falling. With fewer state and federal subsidies to fill the gap, this creates even more challenges for financing affordable housing. Regional and national tax credit experts discuss the impact of tax credit pricing and what the future holds for the program.
Moderator: Dan Brennan Panelists: Bob Moss, Bill Shanahan, Peter Talbot

7. Making Homeownership Sustainable

MaineHousing and affiliate programs increase homeownership, improve housing quality and energy efficiency, and stabilize affordability. A panel discusses pre- and post-purchase education and counseling, affordable mortgage solutions, payment protection for unemployment, and low interest rate loans for energy improvements and home repairs.
Moderator: Gail McBride Panelist: Monica Buck, Debbie King-Johnson, Bobbie Jo Marcoux
Downloads Making Homebuying Sustainable (PowerPoint).

8. Energy Conservation 101

Fact versus myth: learn the basics of energy conservation. In addition to the importance and value of energy audits and a summary of resources available, basic energy tips applicable to everyone and quick, inexpensive ways to cut energy costs.
Moderator: Kimberly Weed Panelists: Ian Burnes, Lucy Van Hook

9. Basics of Healthy Housing

A panel of experts defines “Healthy Housing” and what creates a healthy housing environment. Topics include lead, asbestos, mold, radon, smoke, and pest management and prevention.
Moderator: David Ranslow Panelist: Tina Harnett Pettingill, Naomi Mermin

10. Federal Housing Policy Changes

Congress enacted a flurry of proposals significantly impacting affordable housing, including changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, mortgage revenue bonds, FHA re-financing program, GSE regulatory reform, a new Housing Trust Fund, Section 8 voucher reform, re-authorization of homeless assistance – and the 2009 federal budget. What passed, what remains, and what it all means are topics for this panel of local experts and one the country’s most informed federal housing analysts.
Moderator: Gregory Payne Panelists: Linda Couch, Henry Hanscom, Peter Merrill

11. Is There a Housing Market Crisis in Maine

Daily you hear news reports about the nation’s housing crisis, but is that the reality in Maine? What are the data behind the headlines? Take a look at Maine’s housing market and how it compares to the Nation’s.
Moderator: Julie Hashem Panelists: Bob King, Patti Lawton, William Lund, Chris Pinkham Download presentation.

12. Opportunities and Challenges in Workforce Development Partnerships

Representatives from housing, workforce, and education describe projects that have helped residents of housing programs obtain training and employment. Learn about successes and difficulties as program participants provide their thoughts, suggestions and experiences.
Moderator: Lynne Rodrigue Panelists: Peaches Bass, Joni Boissoneault, Lisa Cyr, Jean Dempster, Chris Martin, Marc Rodrigue, Kerry Sack, Catherine Whitney Download presentation.

13. Home Buying 101

Learn what’s new in a hands-on session about today’s changing housing market – new mortgage options, new underwriting standards, new MaineHousing options, new vendors. What’s current, and what is likely to come next.
Moderator: Gail McBride Panelists: Melinda Boehm, Barbara Croman, Lorrie Hamlin, William Peters, Rick Rand
Downloads Homebuying 101 (PowerPoint)

14. Challenges of Affordable Housing on Maine Islands

A workshop that will explore the funding challenges facing Affordable Housing Programs on Maine Islands.
Moderator: Corlis Carroll Panelists: Glenn Blair, Joanne Campbell, Tobi Goldberg, Deborah Johnson, Dale McCormick, Suzanne Pude