HO916 SYMPOSIUM Reclaiming the Vision of Homeownership: Challenges and Solutions

America’s housing market continues to experience the largest crisis of modern times. Recent reports have suggested that 25% of homeowners are underwater with their mortgages, and according to RealtyTrac, one in 570 American homes received either a default notice, a scheduled auction or bank repossession in August 2011. Since 2008, the homeownership industry has fought to mitigate this catastrophe. The public, private and nonprofit sectors have worked shoulder-to-shoulder to address the multifaceted sources and symptoms of the crisis. However, as could be expected with a complex issue of such unprecedented proportions, the homeownership-related challenges we face seem to mutate over time, and the effects of the crisis crop up in numerous ways.

So much remains to be done – and there is much we as an industry can do. We need to understand how the drivers of crisis are evolving, and sort through the politics and the sensationalism to find tangible and actionable opportunities revealed by current and future trends.

Join us for a thought-provoking day of exploration and dynamic discussion as together – and with the guidance of nationally-recognized experts – we examine the current and future states of homeownership. Specifically, we’ll work through the challenges and opportunities associated with three major focus areas:

- National public narrative on homeownership: As the foreclosure crisis has unfolded some have asserted that past promotion of homeownership has not served the country well, and may not have future merit. How has the narrative on homeownership changed -- what went wrong with the message, and what lessons can be learned and apply in our local communities as we move forward? How can the industry get to greater scale and impact in counseling and more effectively tell that impact story?

- The future of lending for affordable homeownership: With the uncertainty of GSE reform and the Community Reinvestment Act, new regulations such as Quality Residential Markets (QRM) and Risk Retention, and questions about how capital markets will re-engage, the issue of mortgage lending is in turmoil. How can we prepare for the “new normal” in mortgage lending, and build viable partnerships? And in the meantime, how do we keep homeownership momentum going?

- New strategies for customer marketing and triage: Significant demographic changes related to the homeownership market are emerging. What indicators can give us clues for the future? How should agencies serving affordable housing needs best address different populations that growing in need – and importance? How must our marketing, triage, and service customization change to be more effective and better targeted?

You’ll end the day with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of the relationship between national and local forces, and strategies you can apply to enhance your presence and impact in your market.