Rents are too damn high – and that’s a problem for all of us, asserts economist Jenny Schuetz. Her new book, "Fixer-Upper: How to Repair America’s Broken Housing Systems," explores how to make a clear and compelling case for zoning reforms, federal tax policies that encourage wealth-building for renters, and high-quality community infrastructure that benefits everyone.

Schuetz and NACEDA members will discuss how to gain support for policy changes in different housing markets and political contexts. Learn about the Shift the Bay initiative, organized by several NACEDA members in California, as well as strategies for shaping the narrative in cooler markets and less progressive environments. This session will include an extensive Q&A, so get your questions ready!

Speakers: Jenny Schuetz, Brookings Metro; Gloria Bruce, East Bay Housing Organizations; Jessica Love, Prosperity Indiana; Frank Woodruff, NACEDA

NACEDA members are frequently called upon by their national colleagues to engage in federal policy and advocacy campaigns that have consequences beyond their state and municipal boundaries. This peer learning session will focus on the tactics, strategies, and goals that state and local advocates employ to impact federal and national policy goals.

Facilitator: Foluke Akanni, Housing Action Illinois

This peer group session is for NACEDA members only.

Community developers do SO much – from affordable housing to neighborhood revitalization to services that advance prosperity. How can we develop a consistent narrative for communicating with different audiences? In this workshop, a strategic communications expert and a NACEDA member will guide you through a narrative development process using NACEDA members’ mission statements. We’ll develop a consistent narrative for communicating with members, funders, policymakers, and voters. You’ll come away with a worksheet that you can use to share this framework with your colleagues.

Facilitators: Amy Consiglio, Hemline Tailored Strategies; Emily Reyst, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan

This peer group workshop is for NACEDA members only.

This session requires four preparation steps: 1) Shut your door. 2) Close out your inbox. 3) Brew some tea. 4) Take a deep breath. We've noticed that EDs and CEOs in our network have been operating at near 90 miles per hour. We invite you to slow down and reflect with your peers. We'll discuss seized opportunities, shifted strategies, challenges, and even failures. You and your organization will be better for it. This peer group session is for CEOs and EDs only, please.

Building the capacity of local community developers not only benefits individual organizations and communities. NACEDA members and partners build on local successes to shape narratives about community developers’ ability to use resources effectively and help communities thrive. Hear how they’re using these narratives to influence policymakers, funders, and high-capacity community developers who can provide peer support.

Speakers: Heidi Schoonover, Truist; Tania Menesse, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress; Lisa Much, Ohio CDC Association; Amber Stewart, South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development