2024 Northeast Indiana
Housing Symposium
Presented by the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission
September 11 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
International Ballroom in Walb Union at Purdue Fort Wayne
Thank you for attending the 2024 Northeast Indiana Housing Symposium!
Presented by the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission
The symposium served as the launch of the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission’s Regional Housing Strategy, which is aimed at addressing housing needs and promoting population growth across the 11-county region.
Ready to take the next step in regional housing? Click the button below to visit Club 720 and request a consultation or learn more about how they’re advocating for regional housing in Northeast Indiana.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Welcome
Mayor Steve McMichael
9:05 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Northeast Indiana Market Study Results
Laurie Volk, Zimmerman Volk Associates
9:50 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Panel: Identifying Local Needs
Auburn Mayor Dave Clark, Wabash Mayor Scott Long, Huntington County Commissioner Tom Wall
Moderated by Heather Presley-Cowen
10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. – Break
10:50 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. – Break-out Session #1
12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. – Lunch with Keynote Speaker
Charles Marohn, Strong Towns
1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Break
1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Break-out Session #2
2:50 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Housing Resources Call to Action
Mayor Steve McMichael
Breakout Sessions
Planning, Zoning, Legal of Housing
Led by Tom Trent, focusing on the legal aspects of housing, this session will delve into the essential duties of the Plan Commission and explore best practices in zoning and planning. Pat Hess and Tom Trent aim to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of legal frameworks and practical approaches to effective community development.
Discussion topics: Plan Commission Duties; Zoning and Planning Practices
Demystifying Affordable Housing
This breakout session features representatives from the Indiana Realtors Association, Indiana Home Builders, IHCDA, and IEDC as they discuss critical aspects of state housing policy. The session will emphasize mixed-income housing and explore both federal and state housing initiatives, answering the question: What is affordable housing?
Discussion topics: Federal and State Housing Initiatives by Jacob Sipe, IHCDA; READI by Jim Rawlinson, IEDC; Indiana Home Builders, Ric Wajda; Indiana Realtors Association
Financing
Join industry experts Lisa Lee from Ice Miller, Chad Glassburn from Lake City Bank, Barrett & Stokely, and Heather Presley-Cowen for an insightful breakout session on financing strategies, including capital stacking and managing infrastructure costs. This session will provide valuable perspectives on innovative financing solutions to support community development and growth.
Discussion topics: Capital Stacking by Heather Presley-Cowen; Infrastructure Costs; Private Investor Insights by Barrett Realty; Financing Solutions by Chad Glassburn, Lake City Bank
Housing, Quality of Life, and Leadership
Join Mayor Steve from the City of New Haven, Mayor Strick from the City of Huntington, Huntington Commissioner Tom Wall, and Alex Downard from Imagine One 85 for a dynamic break-out session on Community Planning and Development. This session will explore various types of housing, strategies to enhance quality of life and public safety, approaches to infill development, addressing NIMBY challenges, and the role of community leadership in fostering sustainable growth.
Discussion topics: Types of Housing (Infill, Rehab, Brownfield/Greenfield); Quality of Life; Housing Support Programs (Acquisition/Rehabilitation, Down Payment Assistance, Employer Investment Rehabilitation, Blight Elimination, Local Developer Low-Interest Line of Credit); NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard); Community Leadership
Health thru Housing Design
Join architect Zachary Benedict, President of MKM architecture + design, as he illustrates the connection between housing and public health. This session will provide a dynamic and comprehensive look at the impact the built environment has on community well-being and explore how emerging trends in housing development will work to support people of all ages and abilities.
Discussion topics: Social determinants of health and the connection between placemaking and well-being; Emerging well-being metrics to qualify effective development; Incentivizing the development of social capital; Rethinking the next generation of housing for Northeast Indiana