Workshop Descriptions

SESSION I WORKSHOPS

Spreading the Canvas: Expanding Art Further into Community Development
The value of the arts is universally recognized by a variety of sectors across New Jersey. How we express ourselves with where we live and how we develop as a community is key for the community development sector. Hear from members of the Network’s brand new steering committee working to further merge new and exciting avenues of thought and funding into traditional community development processes.
Panelists: John Keller, Director of Education, coLAB Arts; Michael De Blasio, Director of Real Estate, NJ Community Development Corporation; Eddie Gonzalez, Special Assistant to CEO, Director of Community Outreach, NJ Community Development Corporation; Eric Galipo, AICP, LEED AP BD+C Associate, Senior Urban Designer, FCA Architects
Moderator: Kelvin Boddy, Director of Healthy Homes and Communities, HCDNNJ

Building Strong Communities: Learn About State and Federal Investments Available to Support Your Development Projects
From new development to rehabilitation, learn about how to secure funding for your project. The federal government, through the American Rescue Act and other COVID funding, has made significant investments for community development. At the same, the State of New Jersey has significant funding opportunities through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program, and the HOME Program. The level of funding available is unprecedented, find out how your organization can take advantage.
Panelists: Frank Woodruff, Executive Director, NACEDA; Lorissa Luciani, Deputy Administrator of Housing Production, NJ Department of Community Affairs; Christina Fuentes, VP Community & Business Development, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Moderator: Barbara George Johnson, Vice President of External Affairs and Urban Policy and Research, Kean University

Protecting Personal Identifiable Information (PII): A Training for HUD Certified Housing Counselors
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Office of Housing Counseling requires that all certified housing counseling agencies, their counselors and any staff that interact with clients or collect PII must be trained on privacy issues and procedures. HUD wants to ensure client confidentiality and privacy while securing and protecting personal information. PII includes credit reports, client documents, applications, electronic transmissions and so much more. All housing counseling staff, program supervisors and directors should plan to attend this workshop.
Panelists: Phyllis H. Ford, Deputy Director of Oversight and Accountability, HUD Office of Housing Counseling; Theresa Miscuraca, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
Moderator: Jessica Padilla Gonzalez, Executive Director, Housing Partnership NeighborWorks HomeOwnershipCenter

Land Acquisition: Building and Maintaining Community Wealth
Land acquisition from the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act, to land banks, to receivership, our communities have a growing set of tools to regain control of vacant properties. In 2022, we are looking intentionally at acquiring vacant or foreclosed properties specifically to close the racial wealth gap, increase homeownership, and provide opportunities for local, established CDCs to build more affordable homes. With the potential of a new innovative initiative, the Community Wealth Preservation Program, take a fresh look at the power communities have to reinvest assets into the community while expanding residential wealth.
Panelists: The Honorable Britnee Timberlake, NJ Assemblywoman, Legislative District 34; Elza Cival, Vacant & Abandoned Property Division, Property Maintenance, City of East Orange; Roy Southerland, Chief Investment Officer, Invest Newark
Moderator: Dan Antonellis, President, Region Nine Housing Corporation

JumpStartNJ: Catch a Preview of HCDNNJ’s NEW Housing Development Training Program
Kickstart or start your development department with this new training program. We will give a preview and review the application process, what we will cover in the classes, how the program works, technical assistance provided, and more!
Panelists: Rhonda Coe, AICP/PP, Owner, R. B. Coe Consulting, LLC; Dr. Leah Yasenchak, Co-Owner, BRS, Inc.; Maria Yglesias, Co-Founder, M&M Development 
Moderator: Sharon Barker, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, HCDNNJ

SESSION II WORKSHOPS

NJ’s New Lead Rental Inspection Law: Funding and Training Opportunities to Get the Lead Out
Much needed funding and legislation have finally arrived that pre-emptively addresses potential paint-based lead hazards within the dwelling units that traditionally house New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents. Hear from experts from the field(s) on new details surrounding the use of funds and training opportunities made available as a part of the new law.
Panelists: Janel Winter, Director of Housing and Community Resources, NJ Department of Community Affairs; Danny Feliciano, LEAD Inspector/Risk Assessor Community Improvement Division, La Casa de Don Pedro; Anthony Diaz, co-founder and executive director, Newark Water Coalition (NWC)  
Moderator: Jaymie Santiago, President and Chief Executive Officer, New Brunswick Tomorrow

Eviction Prevention: Tools to keep tenants safely in their homes
Learn about implementation of state and federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs and the impact it has had on landlords, tenants, and eviction prevention. We will explore lessons learned during the pandemic to inform strategies to support low income renters now and in the next crisis.
Panelists: Dean Dafis, Director, Office of Eviction Prevention, Division of Housing & Community Resources, NJ Department of Community Affairs; Victoria Bourret, End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions (ERASE) Program Coordinator, National Low Income Housing Coalition; Amy Albert, Managing Attorney, The Waterfront Project
Moderator: SanDonna Jones, Executive Director, Unified Vailsburg Service Organization

Winning Strategies: 2022 Under One Roof Award Winners
Learn from this year's winners! Hear from the experts on how they brought their projects to life - from the meeting room to reality and how they overcame challenges along the way. This year's panel will highlight a series of projects supported by the National Housing Trust Fund, a project supported by HOME funds, a 100 percent affordable rental community, and a project transforming an entire neighborhood.
Panelists: Leslie Stivale, Network Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, Triple C Housing, Inc.; Marcus Kellam, Director of Development and Community Engagement, Triple C Housing, Inc.; Edward Bethea, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Gateway Community Action Partnership; Annie Fox, Chief Development Officer, Habitat for Humanity South Central NJ
Moderator: Blair Schleicher Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Morris Habitat for Humanity

Community Development Investment Advisory Board (CDIAB): Affinity Group (Workshop By Invitation)
The Community Development Investment Advisory Board is a forum for the Network's private sector banking partners and members to discuss current and future opportunities and challenges facing our sector. Working with staff, the Advisory Board will foster conversations about products and future needs of non-profit developers and encourage the use of the Community Reinvestment Act in underserved parts of the state. Participation in the Advisory Board is limited to Network Members.
Presenter: Michael Neal, Equity Scholar, Principal Research Associate, Urban Institute
Facilitator: Staci Berger, President and Chief Executive Officer, HCDNNJ

House NJ: Policies on the agenda to ensure affordable and stable homes for all
Hear from Legislative leaders and key partners about policies that are under consideration now and on the horizon. Network members are on the front lines and on the ground in promoting and providing housing security statewide and their voices are integral in the Network's policy agenda. In this panel, you’ll learn about the work being done on the federal and state levels to advance policy goals like rental assistance, lead testing, and tools to address vacant properties and more.
Panelists: The Honorable Frank Pallone, U.S. Representative, NJ Legislative District 6 (Invited); Rose Farias, Senior Policy Advisor, NJ Senate Majority Office
Moderator: Mark Valli, Chief Executive Officer, Norwescap