2020 WV Housing Conference - Affordable Housing for West Virginia

Keynote Speakers:

Mark Sarver

Dr. Mark Sarver
Associate Professor of Business, Glenville State University

Matthew Heckles
Regional Administrator, Region III, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

 

Session Tracks include:

  • Hot Topics and Special Populations
  • Community Revitalization
  • Property Management / HUD
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building / CRA Training

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the conference program

WV Housing Conference
September 25-27, 2024
Embassy Suites Hotel
300 Court Street | Charleston, WV 25301
www.EmbassySuitesCharlestonWV.com

 

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Registration (Coat Room)

10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Pre-Conference Session (Salon C)
WV Housing Development Fund: Affordable Housing Fund - Program Discussion

Darlene King, BBA, Senior Multifamily Program Administrator, WV Housing Development Fund
Meeting with WVHDF staff to discuss several aspects of the Affordable Housing Fund Program, including a program overview, program design, and available funding. This session will encourage participant feedback to ensure the program is meeting the needs of eligible organizations.

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm | Welcome, Opening Luncheon and Keynote Presentation (Salons D/E)
Kathy McMurray, Executive Director, Mountain Community Action Partnership; Board President, CommunityWorks in West Virginia, Inc.
T. Craig Petry II, Executive Director, CommunityWorks in West Virginia, Inc.

Keynote: Addressing Housing in Central West Virginia
Dr. Mark Sarver, Professor of Business, Glenville State University
Glenville State University students studied the impact of housing on recruiting professional talent to central WV, addressing the needs in Gilmer and Calhoun Counties. The students worked with the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation and the Gilmer County Economic Development Association to address findings.

 

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Concurrent Sessions A

Session A1: WV/HUD Pilot Program: Recovery Housing Voucher Program (Salon A)
Emily Birckhead, MSW, Executive Director, WV Alliance of Recovery Residences (WVARR)
Recovery housing is a vital part of our substance use disorder continuum of care. This session will provide an overview of recovery housing and recovery housing certification, discuss the impacts of new legislation, and highlight recent initiatives that focus on data and outcomes collection.

Session A2: Too Poor to Be ‘Poor’: The Unique Challenges of Rural Housing (Salon B)
Andrew Bates, State Advocacy Coordinator, Fahe
Kylie Milliken, Advocacy Associate, Fahe

We often hear about "broken" housing markets in impoverished rural areas, but what causes this brokenness? This session will cover some of the structural challenges facing the rural housing sector, including the failure of federal income limits (AMI) in poor rural areas and the appraisal gap that keeps home values unnaturally low in places with depressed housing markets. We will also discuss potential solutions to these structural challenges.

Session A3: Property Managers Roundtable (Salon C)
Michelle Bennett, Asset Management Specialist, West Virginia Housing Development Fund
Let's dive into the latest trends and challenges in property management. This discussion, facilitated by our expert moderator, is designed to foster dynamic dialogue and networking among industry professionals. We’ll explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and address the evolving needs of our communities.

Session A4: Sourcing Top Talent for Your Non-Profit (Charleston)
Wendy Hutchinson VP, CSP, SD, Vice President, Mountaineer Employment Solutions
Let's discuss strategic ways to attract and retain Top Talent for your Non-Profit organization. We will discuss how to maximize your current efforts and will explore the benefits of utilizing Staffing solutions.

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm | Break / Exhibit Area

 

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Concurrent Sessions B

Session B1: United Ways of West Virginia/West Virginia 211 (Salon A)
Margaret Ann O'Neal, President, United Way of Central West Virginia
Find out more about your local United Way and how we can help. Learn more about West Virginia 211 - West Virginia's information and referral network - and how we can connect you and your clients to helpful resources in their communities.

Session B2: WV's Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Preliminary Findings and Collaborative Perspectives (Salon B)
Mel Jones, Research Scientist, Virginia Center for Housing Research, Virginia Tech
Daniel Eades, Extension Specialist, WVU Extension

This session will present initial findings from the statewide housing needs assessment and engage participants in dialogue to react to the findings, share specific challenges and opportunities encountered in providing quality, affordable housing in their communities, and discuss future policy recommendations and initiatives.

Session B3: Open Session

Session B4: Leveraging AI to Boost Non-profit Capacity and Efficiency (Salon C)
David Dyer, Assistant Director of Apprenticeship and Veterans Programs, WorkForce WV
AI can enhance non-profits by automating tasks like data entry, donor management, and outreach, freeing up staff to focus on mission-critical activities. It also provides valuable data insights into donor behavior, program impact, and operational challenges, enabling more informed decisions. AI’s ability to personalize communication and create targeted fundraising campaigns boosts engagement and contributions. By leveraging AI, non-profits can optimize resources, streamline operations, and maximize their social impact. This allows organizations to work more efficiently, scale their efforts, and achieve better outcomes with fewer resources, ultimately improving their ability to serve communities and drive positive change.

3:45 pm – 4:00 pm | Break / Exhibit Area

 

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions C

Session C1: United for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) (Salon A)
Margaret Ann O'Neal, President, United Way of Central West Virginia
United for ALICE is a driver of innovation, research and action to improve life across West Virginia for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Through the development of the ALICE measurements a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship has emerged. Learn more about ALICE in West Virginia and how we can help.

Session C2: WV's Statewide Housing Needs Assessment: Preliminary Findings and Collaborative Perspectives (Salon B)
Mel Jones, Research Scientist, Virginia Center for Housing Research, Virginia Tech
Daniel Eades, Extension Specialist, WVU Extension

This session will present initial findings from the statewide housing needs assessment and engage participants in dialogue to react to the findings, share specific challenges and opportunities encountered in providing quality, affordable housing in their communities, and discuss future policy recommendations and initiatives.

Session C3: CDBG Powering What's Possible: Impactful Use of Federal Community Development Funds (Salon C)
Julie Gregg, Senior CPD Representative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Andrew Ritchie, Community Planning and Development Representative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Sara Whiting MSW, Sr. Community Planning and Development Representative, HUD Community Planning and Development
The Community Planning and Development representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will reintroduce you to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and how it can work in your community. By using CDBG funds strategically, you have the opportunity to create lasting impacts in your communities. This session will provide an overview of the funds, highlight some excellent projects across West Virginia, and help you in thinking BIG about what these funds can do in communities across the state.

Session C4: Community Reinvestment Act: What You Need to Know (Charleston)
Theodore Ranson, Senior Vice President, Huntington National Bank
Marlo Long, Community Development Manager, Truist

This session will discuss CRA, the Community Reinvestment Act. The Act itself and partnership with your local banks can help to build on the relationship.

 

Thursday, September 26, 2024

7:30 am – 8:15 am | Breakfast Buffet & Registration

 

8:30 am – 9:30 am | Concurrent Sessions D

Session D1: Habitat for Humanity 101 (Salon A)
Andrew Blackwood, Ed.D., Executive Director/CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha Putnam; David Michael, Executive Director/CEO, Habitat for Humanity of the Tri-State
An introduction and overview of Habitat for Humanity and its work in West Virginia.

Session D2: Open Session (Salon B)

Session D3: Navigating NSPIRE: 1st Year Experiences (Part 1 of 3) (Salon C)
Michael Clarke, Inspection Supervisor and Trainer, American Property Consultants, Inc.
The National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate, or NSPIRE for short, was implemented July 2024 for PHAs and October 2024 for Multifamily & HCV/PBV. HCV/PBV programs were allowed an implementation grace period until October 2025. We are now in the first year of implementation with live NSPIRE scoring for all PHAs and Multi-Family Properties. Many first year experiences are happening as the new NSPIRE inspections are being performed by HUD-REAC. These experiences range from the preparation before the HUD-REAC inspections, activities during the HUD-REAC inspections and follow-up after the HUD-REAC inspections. There are new ways to prepare, new inspection protocols, new inspection standards, new inspection forms/software, new people involved, new appeal process and involvement with the local HUD offices. The propose of this session is to discussion these experiences by dividing them into specific activities that POAs will do to prepare their properties for inspections and ensure the properties are characterized properly after the HUD-REAC Inspection. This session will provide specific ACTIONS you should do plus many TAKEAWAYS including a complimentary copy of APCs popular NSPIRE Pocket Guide which contains the REAC NSPIRE Essentials.

Session D4: City of Charleston Housing Programs - Description and Overview (Charleston)
Zora A. Rogers, Housing Program Supervisor, City of Charleston, MOECD
This session will present an overview and description of the programs offered by the City of Charleston Mayors Office of Economic and Community Development (MOECD) with an emphasis on the housing programs. HOME and CDBG funds are used to assist first-time homebuyers and current homeowners with repairs and maintenance issues. This presentation will provide insight into the funding and application process.

9:30 am – 9:45 am | Break / Exhibit Area

 

9:45 am – 10:45 am | Concurrent Sessions E

Session E1: Helping Your Clients Overcome Credit Challenges (Salon A)
Shamika Robinson, MLO, Certified Financial Coach, Mortgage Loan Originator, CommunityWorks in West Virginia
This session will provide practical insights into assessing credit reports, identifying common obstacles, and developing tailored action plans to improve credit scores. Attendees will gain valuable tools and techniques for supporting clients in managing debt, understanding credit repair options, and achieving long-term financial stability.

Session E2: DreamBuild: Quality Stick-Built Homes Born in a Factory (Salon B)
Tom Manning-Beavin, President & CEO, Frontier Housing, Inc.
Constructing stick-built homes that meet state and local building codes in a factory setting is an emerging solution to a number of housing development challenges. This session will explore the DreamBuild volumetric modular housing concept: a modular housing solution that is being developed in central Appalachia in partnership with nonprofit housing development organizations in Texas. DreamBuild aims to provide affordable homes while maintaining construction quality and energy efficiency. This interactive session will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by modular construction, and participants will have a chance to discuss design options and possible implementation strategies.

Session E3: Navigating NSPIRE: 1st Year Experiences (Part 2 of 3) (Salon C)
Michael Clarke, Inspection Supervisor and Trainer, American Property Consultants, Inc.

Session E4: State of the Sector: Challenges and Opportunities for Nonprofits in West Virginia (Charleston)
Rosemary Ketchum, Executive Director, West Virginia Nonprofit Association
Join us for an in-depth look at the current landscape of the nonprofit sector in West Virginia. This session will explore the unique challenges organizations face, from funding constraints and shifting regulatory requirements to workforce shortages and increasing demand for services. At the same time, we’ll highlight emerging opportunities that can help nonprofits thrive, including innovative funding strategies, collaborative partnerships, and new advocacy efforts. Whether you're a leader or a supporter of the nonprofit sector, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways to help your organization navigate and succeed in this evolving environment.

10:45 am – 11:00 am | Break / Exhibit Area

 

11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions F

Session F1: WV Weatherization Program - Reducing the Utility Cost Burden (Salon A)
Ben Shannon, Weatherization Program Manager, WV Community Advancement and Development
Energy burden refers to the proportion of a household's income that is allocated toward paying energy bills. When the energy burden surpasses 10%, it is classified as severe. Addressing energy burden is crucial for ensuring energy equity and economic stability for vulnerable populations.

Session F2: WVDEP REAP Dilapidated Properties Program: How Can the DEP Help Your Community Address Problem Properties? (Salon B)
John King, Acting Program Manager, WV Department of Environmental Protection
Dilapidated properties can have far-reaching consequences, encompassing environmental hazards, crime, and economic decline. Moreover, they significantly impact property values and tend to disproportionately burden low-income communities and communities of color. Through the Dilapidated Properties Program, WVDEP is leveraging allocated resources to engage with municipalities and counties across the state, "Turning liabilities into opportunities, one dilapidated property at a time".

Session F3: Navigating NSPIRE: 1st Year Experiences (Part 3 of 3) (Salon C)
Michael Clarke, Inspection Supervisor and Trainer, American Property Consultants, Inc.

Session F4: FDIC's Economic Inclusion Resource for Affordable Housing (Charleston)
Victor Galloway, Community Affairs Specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) will highlight resources and explore innovative solutions to address the affordable housing need in West Virginia. The session will encourage banks, affordable housing developers, non-profits, housing finance agencies, Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), and local governments to explore collaboration opportunities to increase and preserve the affordable housing supply.

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm | Luncheon Presentation (Salons D/E)
Keynote: The Time to Act Is Now
Matthew Heckles, Regional Administrator, Region III, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

 

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Concurrent Sessions G

Session G1: The State of Homelessness in WV (Panel Discussion) (Salon A)
Traci Strickland, Executive Director, Kanawha Valley Collective CoC; Katie Hughes, MSW, LSW, Northern Panhandle Continuum of Care Lead Agency Director, City of Wheeling, Brittany Ochoa, Executive Director, Harmony House; Amanda Sisson, BA, Chief Operations Officer, WV Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc.
Join representation from the four Continuums of Care for a panel discussion about West Virginia's homelessness crisis and how it affects us all — as a public health problem, an economic problem and a human tragedy. We will shed some light on the realities of homelessness that exist all around and allow for a sharing of ideas on how to help neighbors who are affected.
Panelists will discuss a number of topics and realistic approaches to addressing homelessness and poverty in the State of West Virginia. In addition to systemic problems like lack of affordable housing, low wages, and cost of labor, personal circumstances like life-altering events can cause anyone to become homeless. The discussion will center around a better understanding of what it means to be unhoused and how as a community we can come together to make change.

Session G2: Navigating Solar in WV: Solar For All, REAP, and SUN's Free Resources (Salon B)
Leah Turgeon, West Virginia Program Director, Solar United Neighbors; Cory Chase, Program Associate, Solar United Neighbors (SUN)
A look at Solar United Neighbor's free technical assistance offerings and how the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds will affect WV.

Session G3: Combating Housing Discrimination: Trends and Strategies (Salon C)
Margarita "Maggie" G. Cortes, Housing Program Coordinator, Telamon TRC
For the third consecutive year, fair housing complaints have reached record numbers nationwide, with discrimination based on disability making up over half of all reports. Harassment complaints have also surged by more than 66%, marking the highest levels since 2006. Join us to learn more about equal access and fair housing. You and your organization can play an active role in fighting housing discrimination. This session will provide practical tools for educating customers, property managers, and landlords, equipping them with the knowledge to prevent discrimination and foster fair housing practices.

Session G4: Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - A Bright Idea for Seniors and Non-Profits (Charleston)
Karen Graham, Program Director, Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc.
The Senior Community Services Employment Program assists individuals aged 55 and older who are unemployed by paying them while they train to gain skills to move toward employment. SCSEP is also vital to non-profit and government agencies across the state as it provides supplemental staff to those organizations at no cost to them.

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm | Break / Exhibit Area

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Plenary Session (Salons D/E)
The Historic Prichard Hotel Redevelopment Project
Cornerstone Community Development and Winterwood Inc. Development Team
Learn how the 50.8-million-dollar project made state history as being the largest ever of its kind. This session will inspire developers and non-profits of every kind. The nuances involved with a complicated capital stack for a mixed use project will be discussed. Join the team that worked on this project for over six years to see this project become a reality.

3:45 pm – 5:00 pm | Awards Ceremony and Networking Reception (Salons D/E)
West Virginia Affordable Housing Hall of Fame Award
West Virginia Housing Award
Hosted by T. Craig Petry II, Executive Director, CommunityWorks in West Virginia, Inc.

 

Friday, September 27, 2024

7:30 am – 8:15 am | Breakfast Buffet & Registration (Exhibit Area)

 

8:30 am – 9:30 am | Concurrent Sessions H

Session H1: Take Me Home Transition Program (Salon A)
Brian Holstine, LSW, Director, Take Me Home WV
The Take Me Home (TMH) Program provides services to support individuals who are elderly or physically disabled transition from facility-based living to their own homes in the community.

Session H2: MON FOREST TOWNS: Building a Recreational Economy through Strategic Regional Collaboration (Salon B)
Emily Wilson, Woodlands Development & Lending
Spanning nearly one million acres, the Monongahela (“Mon”) National Forest is West Virginia’s single largest tourism asset. Since 2017, 12 towns, three lead agencies, and over a dozen supporting organizations have united through the Mon Forest Towns Partnership, an innovative multi-agency coalition that is building a thriving recreation-based tourism economy within the Mon National Forest. Through a multi-year collaborative planning process, the Mon Forest Towns Partnership has developed a sustainable, strategic, and community-driven model for building a regional outdoor economy. This session will share insights from this unique collaborative's successes and lessons learned over the last eight years. Conference participants will gain lessons learned on how to build an effective regional coalition, strategically bring towns together, leverage public and private resources, and grow a regional recreational tourism economy.

Session H3: Service and Support Animals (Salon C)
Linda Koch-Occupancy Specialist, MOR Specialist, Housing Specialist, C3P, UPCS Certified Asset Management Specialist, West Virginia Housing Development Fund; Michelle Bennett, Asset Management Specialist, West Virginia Housing Development Fund
Determination, verification, and regulations concerning Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESA)/Companion Animals. Obligations of housing providers under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and American Disability Act (ADA) with respect to animals that individuals with disabilities may request as reasonable accommodations.

Session H4: Facts and Friction - Communication Styles and How We Work Together (Charleston)
Chuck Stump, Owner and President, The Performance Group
Let’s face it- we’re all different. The best leaders know themselves and understand the strengths and challenges of each member of their team. Who wants to lead? Who wants to work with a team and who would rather be independent and work alone? What are the “magic words” that get each style to engage and listen? These questions, and much, much, more, will be answered in this eye-opening workshop.

9:30 am – 9:45 am | Break / Exhibit Area

 

9:45 am – 10:45 am | Concurrent Sessions I

Session I1: HarmLESS: Embracing Safety, Empathy, and Support (Salon A)
Stefani Keys, Human Trafficking and Housing Coordinator, Andrea Brown Riley, Protective Services Coordinator, West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Harm reduction is a practical approach that minimizes the negative effects of substance use through tools like needle exchanges, supervised consumption sites, and addiction treatment. It focuses on improving well-being rather than just ending substance use. A critical aspect is addressing stigma, which can hinder access to necessary support. By promoting empathy and understanding, harm reduction fosters a more inclusive environment. The Housing First philosophy supports harm reduction by providing stable housing without requiring sobriety first. This stability helps individuals better address substance use and other challenges, leading to improved health and well-being. Together, these strategies—practical tools, reducing stigma, and Housing First—create a holistic approach to supporting healthier lives. Participants will learn how to: define harm reduction and describe tools for implementation; discuss the impact of stigma on those experiencing substance use disorder; discuss housing first philosophy as an approach for harm reduction

Session I2: The Road Ahead: Maximizing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund's Impact on Appalachian Housing (Salon B)
Traviss Witt, MPH, Advancement Director, Fahe
As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a leader in Appalachian housing, Fahe is navigating the new landscape created by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). This session will explore what the GGRF could mean for our region and how we, as both a CDFI and a membership network of housers, can position ourselves to maximize its potential benefits. With a focus on funding opportunities, sustainable development, and innovative housing solutions, we'll discuss the steps Fahe has been taking.

Session I3: Handling Lease Violations (Salon C)
Scott Barnette, Partner, Bowles Rice, LLP
This session will focus on ways for owners and property managers to address common lease violations by tenants.

Session I4: Real Time – Managing Tasks, Delegation, and Getting Results (Charleston)
Chuck Stump, Owner and President, The Performance Group
As the pace of life continues to accelerate, and organizations are challenged to do more with less, most people struggle to keep up. This interactive workshop will challenge participants to take a hard look at where time goes. We’ll also look at the emotional toll that bad days (or even parts of bad days) have on you and your team.

10:45 am – 11:00 am | Break / Exhibit Area

 

11:00 am – 11:50 am | Concurrent Sessions J

Session J1: Grant Writing Workshop (Salon A)
Emily Brammer, West Virginia Grant Resource Centers

Session J2: LOST TOWNS: How we used the missing pieces to tell the story of the Tygart Hotel (Salon B)
Katie Wolpert, Creative Director, Woodlands Development & Lending
Using the fuzzy feelings and emotional responses from creative placemaking, interpretation, storytelling, and social infrastructure explore concrete concepts and engage communities in conversations about complex issues.

Session J3: Top 8 Mistakes after Winning the Grant That Can Jeopardize Your Future Funding (Salon C)
Nicki Bentley-Colthart, MSW, Owner and Consultant, The Grant Advantage
We will explore the most common mistakes made by nonprofits when managing grant awards, how we justify those mistakes to ourselves, and the impact they may have on future funding. We will learn how to avoid these mistakes, as well as tips and best practices for improved grant management.

Session J4: Bridging the Gap – Generations in the Workforce (Charleston)
Chuck Stump, Owner and President, The Performance Group
Believe it or not, there are now five generations in the workforce. This workshop discusses how those generations view communication, how they use technology, and how they view society as a whole. Fun and interactive, this session helps your team grow closer as they share the lives that make them who they are.

12:00 pm – 2:15 pm | Closing Luncheon & Housing Funders Panel (Salons D/E)
Megan Krider, Community Investment Business Development Manager, FHLBank Pittsburgh; Cathy Colby, Senior Manager - HOME & HTF Programs, West Virginia Housing Development Fund; T. Craig Petry II, Executive Director, CommunityWorks in West Virginia, Inc.; Marisa Skaff, Vice President, Community Development Relationship Manager II, The Huntington National Bank