BISMARCK, ND – January 29, 2008 – The 17th Annual Statewide Housing Conference, “Soaring to New Heights,” sponsored by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA), will be held Feb. 20 – 21, 2008, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the material featured at the conference will provide answers to housing issues that North Dakota is facing right now,” said Mike Anderson, NDHFA executive director.
Governor John Hoeven, chairman of the Industrial Commission, has been invited to provide a “State of the Housing Finance Agency” address on Wednesday morning. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Jeff Weispfenning, representing the balance of the Commission, will participate in the event. The Industrial Commission oversees Housing Finance Agency.
Following Hoeven’s address, Robert Stevenson, author of How to Soar like an Eagle in a World Full of Turkeys, will address the conferees. Stevenson is known for raising the level of peoples’ performance overnight, giving them confidence that lasts.
During the Wednesday lunch, Scott Ian MacIntosh, a senior economist with the National Association of REALTORS® in Washington, DC, will present a housing industry forecast entitled, “2008 – A Year of Opportunity.”
“Several break-out sessions are focused on the housing development and rehabilitation issues faced by our rural communities, and there are also a variety of sessions targeted to our lending, real estate and multifamily partners,” said Anderson.
Breakout sessions topics include: Defining Your Community’s Housing Needs; Legal Issues: Homeownership; a two-part Meet and Ask the Rental Expert session; Financing Manufactured Housing; Addressing Homelessness in the Indian Community; a two-part Community Housing Development/Rehabilitation Resources session; Environmental Issues Update; HUD Project-Based HAP Rental Contracts; and finally, a session entitled Creating a Housing Trust Fund.
Throughout the event, housing conference attendees will have an opportunity to view products and services showcased in the exhibit area that benefit the affordable housing industry.
At the Thursday luncheon, the Housing Finance Agency will present their annual Champion of Affordable Housing awards, honoring individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to affordable housing in North Dakota . Lenders participating in the Agency’s homeownership programs will also be recognized.
The early-bird registration fee for the full conference is $125, and one-day only conference registration is $70 if postmarked by Feb 13.
ND Real Estate Commission and ND Board of Social Work Examiners continuing education program applications have been submitted. Credits will be offered upon approval of the program by the accrediting bodies. NDHFA plans to offer five hours of continuing education for attendance on Feb. 20 and three hours for Feb. 21. A total of eight hours will be awarded if both days are attended. Information on the availability of credits will be posted on the Agency’s website.
For more information on the Statewide Housing Conference, contact Sarah Mudder, conference coordinator, at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621, (800) 366-6888 (TTY) or info (at) ndhfa (dot) org.
