Thursday, May 1

8–9 a.m.
Registration/Breakfast/Food Drive

—————-

9:15–10:30 a.m.
Concurrent Education Sessions

① REGULATORY TRACK
NJHMFA Session TBA

② COMPLIANCE TRACK
Updating Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans on a Budget
Speaker: Brian Gamble, Vice President of Compliance & Consulting Services, DeSilva Housing Group
This advanced, interactive session is designed for housing professionals needing to update their Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP). AFHMPs must be reviewed and updated, if necessary, every five years. The AFHMP Form 935.2A now requires owners to gather and report demographic information from their existing tenant population, their waiting list and their surrounding community via census data. However, the new census resources online are intimidating and technical to navigate. We will demonstrate the process by completing the online census research for a “sample property” and provide tips on the best ways to ensure your revised plan is a complete submission. Finally, learn inexpensive, yet effective, advertising and marketing techniques to attract applicants to your property without blowing your advertising budget.

③ RESIDENT SERVICES TRACK
NJHMFA Session TBA

④ MAINTENANCE TRACK
HUD’s NSPIRE Inspection Standards — A Modern Take on Compliance Inspections
Speaker: Scott Precourt, Founder and Managing Partner of US Housing Consultants
During this session, Scott Precourt from US Housing Consultants will provide an overview of the NSPIRE standards and the progress made since its implementation in 2023. The presentation will cover common issues, effective strategies, and high-risk issues that need to be addressed as part of day-to-day management. Attendees will learn about the NSPIRE standards and the status of implementing this significant change in oversight on HUD Assisted Housing, as well as Low Income Housing Tax Credits and voucher programs.

—————-

10:45 a.m.–12 p.m.
Concurrent Education Sessions

① REGULATORY TRACK
HUD Session TBA

② COMPLIANCE TRACK
NJHMFA Session TBA

③ RESIDENT SERVICES TRACK
Quality Supportive Services: Standards & Expectations for HMFA Social Service Plans & Compliance
Speaker: Brian McShane, Associate Director NJ/PA, The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
The Corporation for Supportive Housing’s (CSH) Metro Team has been providing technical assistance to the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) in approving and reviewing compliance and social services plans since December of 2023. CSH has relied upon nationwide best practices to inform the review of these services and ensure that services in affordable housing programs are high quality for the most marginalized individuals and households across New Jersey. Join this session for a review of the LIHTC compliance process for social services, as well as the review process for managing agent evaluations, which includes the Senior Independent Living (SIL) Program.

④ MAINTENANCE TRACK
NSPIRE Standards — Significant Changes in Expectations
Speaker: Scott Precourt, Founder and Managing Partner of US Housing Consultants
HUD’s NSPIRE standards include dramatic shifts in the scope of inspections – what is included in the inspection and what is expected from property owners and managers. This will include explanations to often confusing new standards on fire safety, electrical issues, and other items that have dramatic new expectations under NSPIRE. Scott Precourt from US Housing Consultants will provide examples and a breakdown that simplifies the process and expectations.

—————-

12:15–1:30 p.m.
Awards Luncheon

—————-

1:45–3 p.m.
Concurrent Education Sessions

① COMPLIANCE TRACK & REGULATORY TRACK
HOTMA Hot Topics
Speaker: Brian Gamble, Vice President of Compliance & Consulting Services, DeSilva Housing Group
Please note, this extended session is not a repeat of yesterday's HOTMA-related sessions. Rather, this session will be further segmented into more focused discussions of how HOTMA impacted three key areas of rental calculations - Income, Assets, and Expenses. Brian will identify the major changes in each category to be aware of, what discretionary options exist for owners to consider for calculation methodologies, and what elements of the regulatory changes are prompting clarification requests or questions from the industry about interpretation. Again, content in this session will be updated, if and when any additional published HUD guidance or FAQs are released in advance of the class.

② RESIDENT SERVICES TRACK
The Grief of Losing Housing and Strategies for Coping
Speaker: Annette Mendez, Training and Curriculum Manager, Good Grief
Losing housing is a profound an often-overlooked source of grief. Whether due to economic or financial issues, evictions, natural disasters, or from the many crises that occur, homelessness impacts a person’s sense of security, identity, and belonging. Following housing loss, complex grief can manifest as feelings of loss, fear, shame, and uncertainty about the future. This session highlights how housing loss can trigger grief and offers strategies to help individuals and families cope with the emotional impact.

③ MAINTENANCE TRACK
Session TBA

—————-

3–3:30 p.m.
Afternoon Break

—————-

3:30–4:45 p.m.
General Session

In Kahoots! with Best Practices
Hillcrest Management Staff

—————-

6 p.m.
Networking Reception & JAHMA Foundation Fundraiser

Friday, May 2

9-10 a.m.
Breakfast & NAHMA Presentation

—————-

10-11:30 a.m.
Mental Health Players of New Jersey Interactive Presentation