2023 Housing Summit

Our conversation today gave details for the 2023 Housing Summit happening on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 8am - 3pm in Halpin-Harrison Hall in the School of Business on the campus of Shenandoah University. Kim Herbstritt, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity, and Barbara Marmet, staff attorney for Blue Ridge Legal Services joined me. Kim gave some background for the Housing Coalition of Northern Shenandoah Valley which organizes the event. She talked about the value of partnerships and why this event is an important educational tool for anyone involved in planning, local government, and zoning. Barbara told us about the types of legal services they offer and the people they serve. We talked about the current state of availability for affordable & low-income rentals in the area and the obstacles that residents must overcome. The theme for this year's Housing Summit is "Building for Impact, United for Change." Session topics will include: State of Affordable Housing Affordable Housing Case Studies Building Our Way Out of the Unaffordability Affordable Housing Programs Zoning & Planning Featured speakers will include Ryan Price, Chief Economist for Virginia REALTORS & Sean Suder, founder of ZoneCo. The event is free to attend but registration is required (by Wednesday, March 8, 2023.) Click here for registration information.