Thursday, October 1, 2015
General Session
Thursday, October 1

Registration & Breakfast
8:00-9:00 am

Welcome
9:00-9:10 am

Speakers:
  • George Littlejohn, Novogradac & Company LLP
  • Rebecca Arthur, Novogradac & Company LLP
Washington Wire
9:10-10:00 am

Hear about important tax reform proposals, including an update on proposed legislation to create a minimum rate for the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC). Experts, who are working with advocates in Congress, provide their outlook on the LIHTC's future.

Speakers:
  • Michael Novogradac, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Orlando Cabrera, Squire Patton Boggs
  • Rick Lazio, Jones Walker
  • Richard Goldstein, Nixon Peabody
Article:

 
Break
10:00-10:10 am

Affordable Housing Outlook
10:10-11:00 am

Continue the tax-reform conversation as we discuss in more detail the topics addressed in the Washington Wire. Our policy experts will furtherexploretax reform in regard to what to expect from President Obama, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) budgets, how these issues could affect the affordable housing community and practical next steps.

Speakers:
  • Peter Lawrence, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Orlando Cabrera, Squire Patton Boggs
  • Michael Gaber, WNC & Associates

Article:


Break
11:00-11:10 am

Rebuilding after Disaster: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy
11:10 am-Noon

Aug. 29th marked 10 years since New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina. Both Katrina and 2012’s Hurricane Sandy were tragedies, but they also created opportunities to rethink how the affordable housing community finances and delivers much-needed housing in a stressed environment. Unfortunately, these two storms won’t be the last natural disasters from which we will have to recover. Join our panelists as they discuss the lessons learned from these two natural disasters. They will discuss how to better advocate for effective housing responses in the aftermath of such tragedies, where the investment/developer opportunities are, and what specific products, if any, should be developed to address the needs of a community in recovery.

Speakers:
  • Rick Lazio, Jones Walker (Moderator)
  • Brian Lawlor, Jones Walker
  • Michelle Whetten, Enterprise Community Partners
  • Matthew Schwartz, The Domain Companies
  • Andy Kopplin, City of New Orleans

Article:


Luncheon
Noon-1:15 pm
Breakout I: Market Trends

New Funding Sources for LIHTC Properties
1:30-2:30 pm

 Panelists will discuss newly funded sources for affordable housing, including new state housing tax credits, the Veteran's Housing and Homeless Prevention Program, and HUD's Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration. These sources provide gap loans and operating assistance for many LIHTC developments.

Speakers:
  • Christina Apostolidis, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Patrick Sheridan, Volunteers of America
  • Aron Weisner, Enterprise Community Investment
  • Steven LeBlanc, Stonehenge Capital Company, LLC
  • Thomas Cantwell, Cloudbreak Communities
Article:


Break
2:30-2:45 pm

RAD Transactions-Staying Ahead of the Curve
2:45-3:45 pm

 HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program is a crucial part of affordable housing's future. Learn about key RAD goals, what the latest HUD guidance means for the future and what's next for those that are newly authorized.

Speakers:
  • Rebecca Arthur, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Jeff Weiss, Alden Torch Financial LLC
  • Paul Weissman, Hunt Mortgage Group
  • Kimberly Taynton, Paragon Mortgage Corporation
  • Gerald Cichon, Housing Authority of the City of El Paso

Article:


Break
3:45-4:00 pm

Successful Year 15 Strategies
4:00-5:00 pm

As LIHTC properties reach the end of their Year 15 compliance period, our panelists discuss specific issues faced by syndicators, housing finance organizations and affordable housing organizations. Hear the best strategies organizations use to transfer ownership of LIHTC properties in regard to restructuring the ownership of the property, how to keep units affordable and best practices for investor compensation.

Speakers:
  • Brad Elphick, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Barry J. Palmer, Coats Rose
  • David Sebastian, Wentwood Capital Advisors
  • Dana Newman, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
  • Tim Flint, Tax Credit Group of Marcus & Millichap
  • Alisa Kennedy, Dentons
Article:

Breakout II: Technical Track

Fair Housing and the LIHTC
1:30-2:30 pm

Learn which fair housing laws are applicable to the LIHTC properties. Panelists will closely examine the recent Supreme Court "disparate impact" ruling, HUD's final rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and their potential effect on future developments and allocation policies.

Speakers:
  • Mark Shelburne, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Shawn Whitney, Spencer Fane
  • Stacy Seicshnaydre, Tulane University Law School
  • Toni Jackson, Jones Walker
  • Lisa Krigsten, Dentons

Article:


Break
2:30-2:45 pm

Hear from the Experts: Tax and Legal Issues
2:45-3:45 pm

Panelists will help you understand the complexities of important affordable housing tax and legal issues. This panel will address investment terms and tax issues affecting future development and deal structure.

Speakers:
  • Jon Krabbenschmidt, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Holly Heer, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
  • Alisa Kennedy, Dentons
  • Thomas Stagg, Novogradac & Company LLP

Break
3:45-4:00 pm


LIHTC Asset Management
4:00-5:00 pm

Asset management is a critical component to successful LIHTC investing. Experts will discuss recent trends, common pitfalls in LIHTC asset management and what kinds of resources are required to manage LIHTC assets.

Speakers:
  • Charlie Rhuda, Novogradac & Company LLP (Moderator)
  • Shawn McKenna, Prolink Solutions
  • Deborah Welchel, UAH Property Management, LP
  • Mike Sugrue, StoneLeaf Companies







Novogradac Affordable Housing Conference Reception
5:00-6:30 pm 
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