Schedule

Track

Time

Speaker

Session

Opening

8:00-8:30

Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds

Professional Development

8:45-12:15

Mark Alper, National Center for Housing Management
*Session fulfills Iowa Finance Authority training requirement

Uniform Physical Condition Standards
In this session President Mark S. Alper will provide participants with a thorough understanding of the inspection items mandated by HUD to determine whether dwelling units and common areas are in compliance with the Department’s requirements. Through the use of case studies and participant interaction, this session identifies potential pitfalls that come from rushed assessments, subjective methods or misunderstanding of the guidelines. What you’ll learn: the history of housing standards for federally-assisted housing, proper documentation and reporting of inspections, when to challenge REAC and more.

Professional Development

8:45-12:15

Liz Bramlet, Liz Bramlet Consulting's Training Center
*Session fulfills Iowa Finance Authority training requirement
Limit 70 attendees per session
Doors open 15 minutes early

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program Updates
There have been many recent changes to the LIHTC program: HERA in 2008, Change 3 to the HUD Handbook and the revised versions of the 8823 Audit Guide and the new method for determining income limits in 2010, Many of the LIHTC program rules differ from what they were just a few years ago. What you’ll learn: All recent program changes will be reviewed, including the revised 8823 Audit Guide. Participants will learn how they can hold their income limits harmless, even when the Section 8 income limits for their county are reduced.

Education Session

8:45-10:15

Steve Berg, National Alliance to End Homelessness

HEARTH Act Strategies
Steve Berg, Vice President for Programs and Policy for the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, DC, will discuss the impact of the federal Homeless Emergency and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act in Iowa, especially focusing on the strategies identified during the Iowa HEARTH Implementation Clinic held in April, 2011. Mr. Berg will provide guidance to help shape the state’s response to homelessness within the framework of the new legislation, including action steps to move forward. The discussion will address state-wide as well as local concerns—be sure to bring your questions about local implementation!

Education Session

8:45-10:15

Dan Oswald, Iowa Central Community College

Bobbi Bendicksen, Habitat for Humanity

Gerry Schnepf, 

Keep Iowa Beautiful

Meet the Iowa Finance Authority/Break

10:15-10:45

Dave Jamison, Executive Director

Wes Peterson, Director of Government Relations, Assistant to the Executive Director

Education Session

10:45-12:15

Bill Downs and Tom Ale United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, Washington, DC

What You Should Know: Capital Needs Assessments and Appraisals
This session will provide a unique opportunity for participants to have direct access to two industry experts from the USDA-Rural Development offices in Washington, DC. Mr. Downs will focus on the uses of capital needs assessments in multifamily programs, including the housing tax credit program. Participants will leave this session with a clear understanding of the purpose, items and comments typically associated with a capital needs assessment – and more importantly, how to interpret them to plan for the needs of their property over an extended time. Mr. Ale will provide an overview of the USDA-Rural Development appraisal regulations, process and common issues for multifamily properties. 

Education Session

10:45-12:15

Pam Carmichael, HOME Inc.

Rent Wise
Be the first to get a glimpse of the Rent Wise program that HOME Inc. has developed for Iowa renters! This innovative program, developed from a similar, successful program in Minnesota, focuses on arming tenants, even those with challenging histories, with the tools they need for success in renting. Ms. Carmichael will explain how the program was developed, incorporating Iowa law and the barriers that both tenants and landlords of affordable rental properties face. Ms. Carmichael will also provide a brief training session on the seven program sections and each participant will leave armed with an Iowa Rent Wise Renters Workbook.

Lunch

12:15-1:45

HousingIowa & Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Awards

Professional Development

1:45-5:15

Mark Alper, National Center for Housing Management
*Session fulfills Iowa Finance Authority training requirement

Uniform Physical Condition Standards (repeated)

Professional Development

1:45-5:15

Liz Bramlet, Liz Bramlet Consulting's Training Center
*Session fulfills Iowa Finance Authority training requirement
Limit 70 attendees per session
Doors open 15 minutes early

Managing HOME/LIHTC Projects 
More than one-half of the LIHTC projects nationwide have HOME funding. Owners and managers must know how to plan and operate these projects so they comply with the requirements of the HOME program while also meeting their investors' goals and produce the maximum possible tax credit. What you’ll learn: This interactive class will address the intricacies involved in managing a HOME/LIHTC project. The class discusses how to place your HOME and LIHTC units, blending the eligibility requirements for the HOME and LIHTC programs, how much rent you may charge for a HOME/LIHTC unit, the impact of Section 8 rental assistance at a HOME/LIHTC project, maintaining compliance through the HOME period of affordability and LIHTC compliance period and the impact of tax-exempt bond financing.This is an intermediate level class. Participants should have a working understanding of the LIHTC program.

Education Session

1:45-3:15

Steve Eggleston, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Des Moines

Marvin Shultz, Iowa Department of Human Services

Disaster Preparation for Multifamily Property Owners and Managers 
Natural disasters have been impacting Iowa on a frequent basis and it's vital that affordable multifamily property owners and managers are prepared to rapidly respond to best protect their tenants, staff and property. This session will provide participants with an overview of disaster programs and resources that are available to apartment owners, managers and tenants in the time of an emergency as well as what they should be doing now to prepare for an emergency.

Education Session

1:45-3:15

Jeff Gronstal and Shelley Horak, Iowa Department of Public Health

Sandy Johnson, Iowa Department of Education

Bob Steben, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs

Jill Henson and Tiffany Vasey, Iowa Department of Human Services

How to Use Resources for At-Risk Populations to Their Fullest Potential
With the vast array of services available from different administering agencies, it may be challenging to be familiar with the full spectrum of resources, programs and grants that may assist low-income Iowans state-wide. Several different state agencies offer resources for homeless and near homeless Iowans, including the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Human Services, Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about these programs and discuss how your clients could potentially benefit from them, directly from this panel of experts.

Break

3:15-3:30

Meet the Iowa Finance Authority

3:15-3:45

Eric Chatman

Geri Huser

Amber Lewis

Education Session

3:30-5:00

Don Grove, Iowa Civil Rights Commission

Cynthia Ferrell, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

Elizabeth O'Hara, Center for Disabilities & Development

Katie Popp, Strategic America

Affirmative Marketing Panel
Developing a detailed and effective affirmative marketing plan that meets all project requirements can prove to be a challenge. Participants in this session will gain an understanding of why the fair housing requirements exist and will be walked through the process of developing affirmative marketing procedures by a panel of experts with diverse backgrounds. Panelists from the U.S. Department of Housing & Development (HUD), the Center for Disabilities and Development and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission will provide valuable insight into the importance of Fair Housing and an explanation of HUD guidelines.  A panelist from the marketing firm Strategic America will prepare participants to create a media plan and reach out to underserved populations in local markets to meet affirmative marketing requirements.

Education Session

3:30-5:00

Samantha DeKoven
Metropolitan Planning Council, Chicago 

David Heiar
City of Dubuque

Steve Long
City of Iowa City

Iowa Finance Authority Board Meeting

5:00-5:45

Networking Reception

5:45-6:45

Dine Around

6:45

Enjoy a night out at one of six unique downtown Des Moines restaurants! Centro, Court Avenue Brewing Company, Django, Dos Rios, Raccoon River Brewing Company, and Rock River Grill and Tavern will all be accepting the $15 Dine-Around Dollar. Dine-Around Dollars will only be distributed at the Networking Reception.

Track

Time

Speaker

Session

Breakfast/
Networking

7:15-
8:00

Professional Development

8:00-
11:30

Gwen Fuszner-Smith, National Center for Housing Management

Enterprise Income Verification System
The session is designed to address the confusion that has greeted the introduction of the Enterprise Income Verification system. Participants will explore all aspects of the system’s implementation. This session will center around HUD Notice H2010-10 and include a sample EIV policy developed by NCHM, case studies, and a close-look at various EIV reports and how they are to be used. Special attention is paid to EIV in the context of a Management and Occupancy Review (MOR). What you’ll learn: Comprehensive review of HUD Notice H2010-10, EIV security requirements, EIV and tenant files, the “rules of behavior”, EIV reports: When to run them, what they say, and how to resolve disputed or incorrect information, EIV and your Management and Occupancy Review, whatever happened to Upfront Income Verification, and what might be next for EIV.

Professional Development

8:00-
11:30

Mark Alper, National Center for Housing Management

Fair Housing
This session will provide participants with a working background in the requirements of the Fair Housing Act and other important civil rights statutes that pertain to Fair Housing compliance. The Fair Housing Act covers rental housing properties with more than four units. It makes no distinction between federally assisted housing and market rate housing. This session can be the difference between compliance and non-compliance; between expensive lawsuits and reduced liability. Avoid costly lawsuits by learning: who is considered an individual with a disability “Reasonable accommodations”—the extent of the owner or manager’s responsibility, and how to effectively verify the need for an accommodation or modification, how Fair Housing laws apply to individuals addicted to illegal narcotics, permitted and prohibited types of inquiries, the difference between a pet and an assistive animal, and how this impacts a property’s rules about pets, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the new HUD/Justice Dept. guidelines on “reasonable accommodations” and more!

Education Session

8:15-
9:45

Mike Jacobs, Alliant Capital
 

Phillip Porter, Enterprise
 

Jim Rieker, Midwest Housing Equity Group
 

Lauren Schaeffer, National Equity Fund

Ask the Syndicator Panel
The housing tax credit market has changed dramatically over just the past two years.  A panel of housing tax credit syndicators will discuss a variety of industry trends, current pricing and types of projects currently attractive to investors. Don’t miss this chance to participate in an interactive discussion with these industry experts!

Education Session

8:15-
9:45

Michael German, U.S. Interagency on Homelessness

Meet the Iowa Finance Authority/Break

9:45-
10:15

Terri Rosonke
Carla Pope

Education Session

10:15-
11:45

Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development, Money Follows the Person: Brooke Lovelace
 

Iowa Department of Corrections: Gary Hinzman
 

North Iowa Community Action Organization: Barbara Kellogg
 

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter: Dustin Noble

Forming Effective Partnerships with Landlords to Overcome Housing Barriers
The barriers that stand between many Iowans and a stable, affordable place to call home can be devastating. This panel of diverse Iowa experts will discuss some of these common barriers, including past credit or rental history, criminal record, mental illness and addiction and what can and is being done to address this issue throughout the state. Session participants will leave with an understanding of the complexities these barriers bring from a tenant and landlord perspective and will discuss best practices in landlord communication that can ultimately lead to successful, “win-win” partnerships.

Education Session

10:15-
11:45

Mike Willis, The Energy Group

Iowa Multifamily GREEN Program
This session is a must-attend for affordable multifamily property owners! Participants will learn how they may receive a free energy audit, energy savings recommendations report and free and rebated eligible energy upgrades. The Iowa Multifamily GREEN program is a partnership between Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, MidAmerican Energy, the Iowa Utility Association, The Energy Group and the Iowa Finance Authority. Mr. Willis will explain the benefits of the program, including how energy efficiency measures that have been put in place through the program have realized savings of approximately $260,000 annually and is expected to grow. 

Lunch

11:45-
1:00

Steve Gilliland

Steve Gilliland is one of the most in-demand and top-rated speakers in North America. Steve's interactive and entertaining style helps audiences connect and relate as he shows them how to open doors to success in their careers, their relationships and their lives. He speaks to more than 250,000 people a year, has shared the platform with numerous dignitaries, and has the distinction of speaking in all 50 states and in 15 countries. As one newspaper stated, "Steve is what happens when the humor of Ron White collides with the inspiration of Zig Ziglar." Everyone who hears his message leaves with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for who they are and for what really matters.

Professional Development

1:30-
5:00

Gwen Fuszner-Smith, National Center for Housing Management

Professional Development

1:30-
5:00

Liz Bramlet, Liz Bramlet Counsulting's Training Center
Limit 70 attendees per session
Doors open 15 minutes early

Managing a Section 8, Section 236 or PRAC/LIHTC Property
Do you own or operate a property with project-based rental subsidy or Section 236 mortgage insurance that has been refinanced using low-income housing tax credits? Are you creating a new affordable property using funds from the PRAC program plus the low-income housing tax credit program? You must meet all of your HUD requirements while also meeting your LIHTC requirements. What you will learn: HOME/LIHTC properties are monitored by HUD or a contract administrator. in addition to being monitored for compliance with the LIHTC program by the state housing finance agency and your tax credit investor. This course will teach you how to manage your project and keep both HUD and your tax credit business partners happy.

Education Session

1:30-
3:00

A Housing Needs Assessment Model:  Has Housing Recovered in Iowa Communities After the Floods of 2008?
A team of Iowa State University researchers release their findings on housing needs in eight Iowa communities two years after the unprecedented floods of 2008. The study sought to determine the effectiveness of the State’s response to the emergency itself and to the long-term recovery process these communities faced. How well did State and Federal assistance programs help communities to replace the housing that was lost in this natural disaster? How much were the communities impacted by the combination of the floods and the national recession occurring at the same time? The broader intent of this study was to create a housing needs assessment model.  Communities can use this model to evaluate their long-term need for housing that is affordable for all ranges of income, family size, and special needs.

Education Session

1:30-
3:00

Judy Stoffel, United Way of East Central Iowa

Erin Porterfield, Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless

Local Homelessness Planning Group Workshop

This session will highlight best practices for local homelessness planning groups by opening up a discussion with currently successful groups. What should a local group’s focus be? What should the representation of the group look like? This session will discuss these topics and more, with the aim to empower and improve homelessness planning groups.  

Meet the Iowa Finance Authority/Break

3:00-
3:30

Julie Noland
Dave Vaske
Carole Vipond

Education Session

3:30-
5:00

Moderator:

Dr. Mickey Carlson, Iowa State University/Iowa Finance Authority

A Housing Needs Assessment Model:  Has Housing Recovered in Iowa Communities After the Floods of 2008?
A team of Iowa State University researchers release their findings on housing needs in eight Iowa communities two years after the unprecedented floods of 2008. The study sought to determine the effectiveness of the State’s response to the emergency itself and to the long-term recovery process these communities faced. How well did State and Federal assistance programs help communities to replace the housing that was lost in this natural disaster? How much were the communities impacted by the combination of the floods and the national recession occurring at the same time? The broader intent of this study was to create a housing needs assessment model.  Communities can use this model to evaluate their long-term need for housing that is affordable for all ranges of income, family size, and special needs.

Education Session

3:30-
5:00

James Provenzale, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Using HUD Multifamily Programs to Their Fullest Potential
Session participants will be provided with an overview of the benefits of various HUD programs – and how they may now be combined with other financing sources more seamlessly than ever. Mr. Provenzale will explain recent changes to some HUD programs that may make it easier to use them in conjunction with the housing tax credit program. Mr. Provenzale will also share some combined financing success stories as well as the associated developer benefits.