Changes at this level are scary for both managers and impacted households. Effectively communicating HOTMA changes to both your in-place and applicant households is a crucial element to successful implementation.

The message is also not the same for both groups. Selective and deliberate word choice matters and increases the likelihood that the message is clearly understood. Delivery that incorporates reasonable accommodations for disabilities and/or modifications for those with Limited English Proficiency are equally important. During this session, Jenny will provide tips and recommendations for how to craft written notifications to households that are both accurately worded and easy to understand. When must these notifications be sent and how? What topics should you cover? Do you know and understand what discretionary procedures your property has opted to utilize that dictate what is relayed? Join us for a productive session that will ensure your message is clear and helpful versus vague and confusing to those reading it.

Speaker

Jenny DeSilva, President and CEO of DeSilva Housing Group

Jenny DeSilva is the President and CEO of DeSilva Housing Group and has over 25 years of experience in affordable housing. She is a recognized compliance expert with extensive consulting and training knowledge in HUD’s Multifamily Housing programs. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Ms. DeSilva began her career in the affordable housing industry as a Director for Southwest Housing Compliance Corporation, HUD’s Project-Based Section 8 Contract Administrator for Texas and Arkansas. Over the course of 14 years, she held two directorships, overseeing staff that processed monthly HAP Requests, as well as staff that conducted 900+ Management and Occupancy Reviews at HUD communities on an annual basis. After 14 years of Contract Administration, Ms. DeSilva utilized her experience and perspective to develop her new role in the industry as an approachable consultant and passionate trainer for housing professionals. She served as the Director of Training for PMCS, Inc., a Syracuse-based training and consulting agency, before returning to her home state of Texas to serve as the Director of Blueprint Housing Solutions, a consulting and training subsidiary of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin. She launched DeSilva Housing Group in January 2022. When not training, Ms. DeSilva provides quality assurance and technical expertise to vendors offering TRACS compliance software. She is an active member of multiple HUD Working Groups charged with developing new TRACS industry specifications, and in shaping MOR audit procedures that foster consistency amongst various oversight agencies. She currently serves as HUD RAD Technical Assistance Subcontractor. This role includes providing nationwide TRACS and Secure Systems technical assistance to owners completing Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) PBRA conversions, as well to participating state level grantees and participating owners of HUD’s PRA 811 Programs. Jenny DeSilva is a Certified Occupancy Specialist, Tax Credit Specialist and Certified Housing Manager.

Agenda

12:45 – 1:00 p.m. Sign On

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Virtual Session, Including Q&A

Registration

Fees and reasonable expenses for the course are an approved project expense. Cancellation Policy: Registration fees will be refunded less a $50 processing charge if received in writing ten (10) business days prior to the seminar. Substitutions, but no refunds, can be made after that date.