Join us for an engaging and informative in-person workshop designed to empower economic developers in tackling one of today’s most pressing challenges: affordable housing. Scheduled for the morning of September 25 in Eau Claire, this in-person event will kick off our annual Best Practices Conference, which runs from the evening of September 25 through noon on September 27.  

WEDA Academy: Multifamily Workforce Housing: Strategies for Success 

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 8:30 a.m. to noon 

Location: Lismore Hotel, 333 Gibson Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 

Fees: WEDA Members - $0.00 - Non-Members - $99.00

Refund policy: Registrants may receive refunds up to 15 business days, September 4, 2024, prior to the event start date. To request a refund e-mail weda@weda.org  Refunds are given minus 10% handling and purchasing fees. If desired, registrants may transfer their registration to another individual without fees. As of September 5, 2024, 15 days or less prior to the event start date: As food and beverage guarantees have been made on your behalf registrations may only be transferred. No refunds will be given. There are no exceptions to this policy. Start date of the event and beyond: There will be no refunds given for no shows.

Workshop Objectives:   
This workshop aims to provide economic developers with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted barriers to expanding housing supply, especially workforce housing. Attendees will explore: 

  • Economic Barriers: Discover the components of project costs and why there’s often a gap between development expenses and the revenue needed to repay loans and provide returns to investors. 
  • Site Selection: Learn the factors developers consider when choosing a location for new housing projects. 
  • Funding Solutions: Identify tools available to bridge financing gaps, including increasing loans, unit counts, rents, and incorporating various subsidies. Understand the impact of these strategies on housing affordability across different income levels. Learn the solutions that banks offer, including tax credit equity, direct lending, investments in CDFIs, philanthropy and collaboration with the public and private sectors. Learn about innovative new loan and grant programs offered by WHEDA, CDFIs, and others that can be used to close financing gaps. 
  • Municipal Strategies: Gain insights into what municipalities can do to boost the supply of affordable housing. 

Perspectives Presentations: 

Developer: Josh Hafron, General Capital (Confirmed)   
Bank: Representative from US Bank (TBD)   
CDFI: Rob Beach, FCI (Confirmed)   
WHEDA: Mai Xiong, WHEDA (Confirmed) 

Experts from diverse perspectives, including a developer, a bank, and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), will discuss actionable strategies to make housing projects financially viable. 

Case Study: Transit Center Apartments

Developer: Joy Brenner, Merge Development (Confirmed)   
Local Government: Aaron White, City of Eau Claire (Confirmed)   

The case study will include a deep dive into the Transit Center Apartments project, highlighting collaborative efforts between developers and local government. Following the case study, attendees will participate in a hardhat tour of the Transit Center Apartments, currently under construction, providing a firsthand look at innovative solutions in action. 

Benefits of Attendance: 
Participants will leave the workshop equipped with practical knowledge and strategies to support policies and initiatives that advance affordable housing development in their communities. They will also gain insights into programs from WHEDA, and other organizations designed to fill funding gaps and facilitate housing projects. 

Don’t miss this impactful workshop and be a part of the solution to the affordable housing challenges facing our communities today! 

8:00 - Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 - Welcome, Introductions and Overview
8:45 - Perspectives Presentations - Developer, Banker, CDFI, WHEDA
10:25 - Case Study - Transit Apartments (Eau Claire)
11:00 - Hard Hat Tour of Transit Apartments
Noon - Lunch on your own or Economic Development Women of Wisconsin Luncheon
 

WEDA Academy: Multifamily Workforce Housing: Strategies for Success

  • Wednesday Sep 25 2024, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  • 333 W. Gibson Street
    Eau Claire, Wisconsin
    United States
    54701