November 7, 2003
SDHDA to Host State Housing Conference
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is hosting its Thirteenth Annual Housing Conference - Home on the Range on Tuesday, November 18 and Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre.
"We've got great sessions, great speakers, and great networking opportunities," says Dar Baum, Executive Director of SDHDA.
This year's conference will kick off with two nationally respected economists and visionaries. Charles Fluharty, Director of the Rural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri - Columbia, and Douglas Duncan, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research and Business Development for the Mortgage Bankers Association of America will explore the driving forces of our economy and housing markets.
One highlight to this year's event will be a town hall meeting entitled "Governor's 2010 Initiative 'Together Today for a Better Tomorrow' ~ Defining the Actions." With housing being included as an integral part of Governor Rounds' recently unveiled 2010 Initiative, this town meeting will allow attendees to identify specific tasks that will help to accomplish the specific goals set in front of us. We will be laying the ground work for the direct steps we must take to make South Dakota an even better place to live.
SDHDA will also be exploring the details of the recently released 2003 Statewide Housing Needs Analysis. Mike Kearney, Principal of Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Inc in Harrisburg, PA will be on hand to take attendees through the Analysis, giving them ideas on how they can use the report effectively in their area.
Additional highlights to this year's conference include several visionary and thought- provoking national keynote speakers:
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Greg Gray, President, Renaissance Unlimited, Inc. will present "The Chameleon Approach"...strategies for workplace survival. Greg Gray is a nationally recognized speaker who will leave you looking at everyday situations in a different light.
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Amy Schauer Nelson, the Executive Director of the North Dakota Fair Housing Council, will explore Fair Housing issues from both discrimination and accessibility standpoints.
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Mary Ross, President of Ross Business Development in Kennesaw, GA, will be training multifamily managers and owners on the wide variety of TRACS changes.
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Donald Haurin, the Associate Dean for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Ohio State University will be exploring a study that ties homeownership and the social impacts it has on children and families.
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Kelby Grovender, Director of Anishinabe Wakiagun will present a supportive housing program that has been successful in the Minneapolis, MN area.
Other topics for the conference include rural housing financing and development, understanding available mainstream resources, exploring issues of relocation, trust land lending and working with community agencies and officials.
Other events also include SDHDA's Friend of Housing Awards Luncheon on Tuesday (November 18). This luncheon will honor an outstanding individual and organization for their contributions in providing affordable housing to residents throughout South Dakota.
You can get more information or register online now for the 13th Annual Housing Conference at SDHDA's website www.sdhda.org or call 605/773-3181.
"The conference is an outstanding opportunity for realtors, builders, bankers, developers, property owners and managers, non-profit entities and county and municipal governments to learn about the latest in affordable housing in South Dakota. More importantly it offers attendees the opportunity to network with each other and share ideas," said Baum.
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is an independent, quasi-public agency that finances and develops affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents throughout South Dakota. SDHDA is totally self-supporting and receives no tax money, appropriations or other funding from the State. SDHDA does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, handicapped, familial status or national origin.
