HUD TO HOLD FREE REGIONAL CONFERENCES TO HIGHLIGHT INNOVATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO HOUSING AGENCIES

The conferences, coordinated by HUD?s Office of Public and Indian Housing, are designed to increase awareness and understanding of the two innovative financing programs available to public housing authorities (PHAs), housing finance agencies (HFAs), lenders and developers. The conferences will also give additional guidance and strategies to agencies that are already participating in these programs.

The first of the conference series will kick-off this month in Baltimore, Md., followed by a May conference in Dallas-Ft. Worth. Two additional conferences will be held in the Midwest and Pacific regions later this year.

HUD Assistant Secretary Orlando Cabrera, who heads up the Office of Public and Indian Housing, will keynote the first conference in Baltimore. Guest speakers for the subsequent conferences will include nationally recognized experts from rating agencies, investment banking firms, Housing Finance Agencies, lenders and HUD.

Conference participants will get an array of information about CFFP and MFP, including understanding the fundamentals of utilizing the programs and more advanced workshops such as long-term planning in an era of reduced appropriations. In-depth workshops will include: Introduction to Capital Planning and Finance for agencies new to CFFP and MFP, and avoiding problems associated with PHA affiliates. Short topical workshops include, Public Housing Basics, CFFP and Developing Pools, Energy Performance Contracting and Tax Credits, Tax Exempt Bonds and Rating Agencies. Participants will be provided with an interactive forum for discussion, a Q&A session, and networking.

Changes authorized in 1998 under the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) and the May 2, 1996 Interim Rule, allow PHAs to borrow against future appropriations to the Capital Fund and/or use a combination of private and/or public financing to develop public housing units. PHAs can immediately fund critical modernization or development projects improving the quality and quantity of their public housing units.

The schedule and registration information for the first two conferences is as follows. Information on remaining conferences is forthcoming.

PHAs in Chicago, New York City, Maryland, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have already taken advantage of the CFFP and MFP programs. As a result of their success, HUD has developed four conferences to increase the participation in these programs so that sustainable public housing communities can be carried well into the 22nd century.

Rooms have been reserved at the Radisson Lord Baltimore and the Hilton Arlington.  To reserve a room in Baltimore call (800) 333-3333 or on-line (www.radisson.com/lordbaltimore), pass code hudpih.  Rooms are $141.  To reserve a room at the Hilton in Arlington for the Dallas conference call (800) 445-8667 or on-line (www.arlingtontx.hilton.com/), ask for the HUD Conference.  Rooms are $117 and will be held through April 16, 2006.  To register for the conference, send a note for a brochure and registration form or call (877) 744-6467.  For additional information about the conference, you may also contact Margaret McGilvray at (703) 653-7055.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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