Join us at Homes Within Reach

Staff Presentations 

B8. Building Resilience in Energy Efficiency: Strategies for Programs and Property Owners 
Periods of uncertainty can stall energy efficiency efforts—yet the need is greater than ever. This workshop explores strategies to sustain progress by strengthening partnerships, adapting to funding shifts, and building resilient programs. Learn how initiatives evolved before and after the Inflation Reduction Act, and how advocacy can guide new approaches. The session covers legal and financial tools like capital stacks, audits, and technical assistance. It also offers practical advice for multifamily property owners facing rising energy costs, showing how efficiency can drive savings and support housing stability. 

Elizabeth Marx, Esq. Executive Director, PULP 

Jack Stucker, Supervising Attorney  

Joshua Galloway, Director of Partnership Development New Ecology, Inc.  

Sarah Ralich, Senior Energy and Construction Manager ACTION-Housing, Inc.  

C1. Value of Partnerships Among Mission Aligned Groups in this Changing Environment 
Recent changes in the affordable housing landscape have created new obstacles for providers. Costs of building and operating have risen sharply while public resources remain largely the same, and policy instability makes planning and compliance more difficult. Addressing these challenges requires resources and expertise that many organizations struggle to mobilize alone, leaving smaller nonprofits at a disadvantage when competing for scarce funding. Partnerships are more important than ever, allowing mission-driven groups to pool resources and complement each other’s strengths in development, services, operations, and community engagement. Join us to explore collaboration models, share lessons learned, and discuss strategies for building effective partnerships that expand affordable housing opportunities. 

Dina Schlossberg, Executive Director  

Vidhi Anderson, Vice President of Development HumanGood  

Judith Memberg, Executive Director Genesis Housing Corporation   

Renée Cunningham, Executive Director Center in the Park   

C4. Community Land Trusts: The History and Future of Permanently Affordable Housing 

This session will introduce community land trusts (CLTs), exploring their roots in the American Civil Rights movement and the framework that makes them a tool for creating permanently affordable housing. Building on this foundation, panelists will share how CLTs in Pennsylvania are innovating to meet community needs—through approaches such as rental cooperatives, self-help housing programs, modular development, and the use of New Market Tax Credits to expand affordable housing opportunities. Join us to learn how CLTs are shaping housing solutions and discover practical strategies for creating lasting affordability in your community. 

Kelly Prokop, Senior Staff Attorney 

Julie Wilson, Executive Director Common Roots  

Julie Nigro, Director of Real Estate City of Bridges CLT  

Stefanie Clark, Family Program Director Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County  

C6. Preserving Affordable Homes: Strategies for Long-Term Stability 

Jack Stucker, Supervising Attorney 

Kim Krauter, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development HDC MidAtlantic  

Matt Madia, Vice President of Real Estate Services Neighborhood Allies 

Carolyn Placke, Director of Housing LISC Philadelphia  

E9. Creating Successful Majority/Minority Partnerships to Build Affordable Housing 

Pennsylvania faces a shortage of up to 600,000 affordable housing units across 67 counties. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has encouraged the partnering of small/minority developers with large established developers to build capacity and increase supply. Join a lively discussion on how to find partners; successful negotiation tools for both large and small developers; pitfalls to avoid; and how to create win/win partnerships to successfully execute projects. 

Raina Metha, Supervising Attorney 

Blane F. Stoddart, President and CEO BFW Group of Companies  

Ryan Sanders, RB Development LLC Affordable Housing Developer  

Trey Barbour, Affordable Housing Developer SVP, Pivotal Housing Partners  

Board Presentations 

A5. The Current State of the LIHTC Markets 

Chris Paul, President and Principal Diamond and Associates  

Lindsay Soyka, Executive Vice President R4 Capital  

Celia Smoot, SVP- Head of Fund of CDFI Investments Key Bank  

Lopa Kulluir, Head of Affordable Housing Lending M&T Bank  

B5.Setting Up for Success in PA: Cost Limits and Cost Certifications 

Christine Paul, President Diamond and Associates  

Karen Harris, Partner CohnReznick  

Michael Arnst, Project Manager Diamond and Associates  

D6. Racial Wealth Gap Simulation 

Created by the Bread for World Institute, the Racial Wealth Gap Simulation is an interactive tool to help people understand the connections between racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. It is a good first step for people unaware of structural inequality, a tool for those who want a deeper understanding, and a source for those who want to know the quantifiable economic impact of each policy that has widened today’s racial hunger, income, and wealth divides. The simulation guides participants to understand why racial equity is so important to ending hunger and poverty in the United States. Participants learn how federal policies created structural inequalities and how these policies increase hunger and poverty in communities of color. 

Fred Bañuelos, Community Investment Business Development Manager  

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh  

Melissa Morse, Director of Housing Programs Housing Authority of the County of Warren  

Tonya Mitchell Weston, President/CEO  Housing Authority of the County of Warren  

E2. Managing, Developing and Preserving Affordable Housing During Uncertainty 

In 2024, affordable housing development faced mounting challenges, from labor shortages to rising insurance costs. This year brings additional pressures—lower equity pricing, tariff-driven material costs, and uncertainty around federal funds. This panel will offer insights on navigating today’s environment, highlighting programs, creative transactions, and strategies to keep development and preservation moving forward, even amid funding shifts. 

Vidhi Anderson, Vice President of Development HumanGood  

Michelle Yarbrough Korb, Partner Nelson Mullins  

Leah Eppinger, Executive Director & President Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin & Affordable Housing Associates of Dauphin County  

Quianna Wasler, Chief Housing Officer Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh