Policy & Legislation
Highlights from Housing CA's 2009 Annual Conference
May 07, 2009
Housing CA's 2009 Annual Conference took place April 27-29. This year's successful educational event included more than 875 attendees who participated in 77 workshops and visited 55 exhibits.
Attendees heard from both state housing departments: California Housing and Community Development Director Lynn Jacobs and California Housing Finance Agency Director Steve Spears.
Storycatcher author Christina Baldwin spoke about the elements of a good story and the importance of using story to move our agenda in troubling times. Oregon Opportunity Network's Executive Director Michael Anderson inspired us with the story of how Oregon recently succeeded in obtaining a permanent funding source for affordable homes. Nan Roman, President and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness laid out some of the challenges of, and opportunities for, federal policy change.
In addition to the well-attended networking reception, Housing CA also hosted its first Young Professionals Networking Event at the Parlare Euro Lounge.
Approximately 60 people dedicated their Tuesday afternoon to Lobby Day in the state Capitol, visiting 35 key legislators to discuss how the construction of more homes affordable to all Californians will create jobs, stabilize families, and strengthen communities. The conversations centered on SB 500 (Steinberg), AB 1177 (Fong), the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program, and the Pooled Money Investment Board.
More than 50 members of the Homes to End Homelessness Coalition met to discuss the impact of new federal funding sources for homeless prevention and opportunities for more state investment in homelessness and affordable homes.
Thanks again to all of our 2009 sponsors for making another terrific event possible, especially our title sponsors Union Bank of California, U.S. Bank, and Community Economics, Inc.
Contact: Karen C. Naungayan, 916.447.0503 x111 or .
