2008 Ohio Housing Conference “Uniting for Tomorrow” to address key issues impacting affordable housing in Ohio
COLUMBUS, OH – November 5, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) – Housing professionals from across Ohio and the nation will join together at one of the largest statewide annual housing conferences in the country beginning today to discuss affordable housing at the local, state and national levels.
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) are co-sponsoring the 10th annual Ohio Housing Conference, “Uniting for Tomorrow,” being held November 5-7 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
“This conference provides the forum for housing professionals to discuss strategies that address the challenges posed by the current housing market,” said Doug Garver, executive director of OHFA, a state housing agency that provides affordable housing options from rental assistance to homeownership. “With the shared efforts of many stakeholders, Ohio will continue to be a leader in offering safe, affordable housing opportunities to families across the state.”
Close to 1,200 industry professionals including investors, nonprofit organizations, lenders, real estate agents, developers and property managers will attend sessions to learn about and discuss affordable housing. The Federal Policy Plenary and the State Housing Plenary offer attendees valuable insight from national and local leaders in the housing industry. Financial experts discuss the state of the housing markets in the Ohio Economic Forecast.
This year’s keynote speaker, Henry Cisneros, is Executive Chairman of the CityView companies and formerly served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton. In recognition of service to the affordable housing community, Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis will be presented with this year’s Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization for continued dedication to community development and for providing affordable housing opportunities to Ohio families.
“We will hear many perspectives on the current state of affordable housing at the local, state and national levels,” added Hal Keller, president of OCCH, an independent, nonprofit housing financial intermediary created by OHFA in 1989. “Amid national and local budget cuts, changing economies and the ongoing foreclosure crisis, this conference will address how key partners remain committed to providing quality, affordable housing.”
Attendees are able to participate in over 45 industry training sessions on topics related to multifamily housing, single-family housing, development, property management and emerging affordable housing issues. Mobile sessions that take attendees off-site will feature housing and community development efforts.
More than 65 exhibitor booths representing associations, investment companies, lending institutions, developers and building supply companies will be featured at the conference. These exhibit booths give participants the opportunity to see the latest products, services and opportunities available in the affordable housing industry.
OHFA utilizes federal and state resources to provide housing opportunities for families and individuals through programs designed to create, preserve, and manage affordable housing throughout the State of Ohio. The Agency is a self-supporting quasi-public agency governed by an eleven-member board, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Two additional seats on the board, by statute, are reserved for the Director of Development and the Director of Commerce, or their designees, and both serve as ex officio voting members.
