Making Connections with NCSHA’s Housing Credit Connect and Annual Conference

The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) hosted its Housing Credit Connect conference in Atlanta from June 10-13, 2024, where the industry gathered to discuss key challenges and opportunities within affordable housing. The discussions ranged from legislative updates to new innovations within housing credit allocation and compliance. As NCSHA’s Annual Conference approaches, scheduled for September 28 – October 1, 2024, in Phoenix, several of these critical topics will be revisited, offering attendees a chance to delve deeper into the issues that continue to shape the industry.

Key Topics from Housing Credit Connect and Their Continuation in Phoenix

Compliance Challenges and Strategies

Compliance with federal and state regulations remains a persistent challenge for housing agencies and developers. In Atlanta, experts discussed new compliance trends and shared strategies for staying ahead of regulatory changes, particularly in an era of increased scrutiny and tighter budgets. The Phoenix conference will revisit these topics, providing updated insights into best practices for compliance, including the use of new technologies to streamline reporting and monitoring processes.

During the session “Keeping Up with Multifamily Compliance Through Technology and Training”, taking place on Monday, September 30^th, ProLink Solutions’ own Ryan Kim, VP of Professional Services, will join the panel in continuing the discussion around regulatory updates around the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) and National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE).

Innovative Financing and Development Strategies

Innovative financing mechanisms were a major focus in Atlanta, with sessions highlighting new approaches to leveraging private and public funds to support affordable housing development. In Phoenix, these discussions will continue, emphasizing the importance of creative financing in expanding the reach of housing credit programs. Topics range empowering women within housing finance to the process of leveraging state and local partnerships to locate more funding.

Sustainability and Green Building

Environmental sustainability in affordable housing was a key theme at Housing Credit Connect, with sessions exploring how green building practices can be integrated into housing credit projects. During Housing Credit Connect, Wendy Smith, Deputy Executive Director at Kentucky Housing Corporation, was joined by panelists during a session titled “Leveraging Energy Incentives in Affordable Housing” to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its impact on energy efficiency and resiliency measures.

The upcoming Annual Conference will expand on these discussions, focusing on the long-term benefits of sustainable development practices and how they can be incentivized through housing credit programs. The conference will also explore the intersection of sustainability with equity, ensuring that environmentally friendly housing solutions are accessible to all income levels. Topics will be covered ranging from energy and water conservation to energy efficiency and resilience in affordable housing.

Data and Analytics in Housing

The role of data and analytics in improving housing outcomes was another critical topic in Atlanta. During Housing Credit Connect in Atlanta, Bettie Teasley, the Manager of Policy and Research at the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, presented a session titled “Maximizing Outcomes with Data-Driven Policies”.

As housing agencies increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, the Phoenix conference will continue to highlight how data can be used to optimize housing credit allocations, monitor program effectiveness, and ensure compliance. Sessions pertaining to this topic include “Bringing Data to Life: The Faces of Affordable Housing” and “The Horizon for Data and Analytics: Vision Setting and New Tools”.

For ProLink Solutions and other members within the affordable housing sector, these events are invaluable opportunities to stay informed, network with peers, and contribute to the dialogue shaping the future of housing policy and practice. By engaging with these recurring themes, attendees can expect to leave Phoenix with actionable insights and strategies that will help them navigate the complex terrain of affordable housing in the years to come​.