Featured Panel Discussion
Connecting the Dots Between Housing, Transportation, Energy and the Environment
How can the federal government encourage more sustainable housing development in denser, less auto-dependent, more energy efficient communities? Can we make substantial gains in sustainability without significantly increasing housing prices?
Moderated by Enrique Penalosa, former Mayor of Bogota, Columbia (pictured left)
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Featured Panel Discussion
From Front Yards to Schoolyards: Linking Housing Policy and School Reform
How do a child's housing and neighborhood conditions affect his or her educational experience and performance? How do housing investment and construction decisions shape schools and neighborhoods? Panelists will discuss what we know, and what we need to learn, about how education policy fits into a broader discussion of community development and federal housing policy.
Panelists include Susan Tave Zelman, Senior Vice President for Education and Children's Content, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and former Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction (pictured left)
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Featured Panel Discussion
Where Do We Go From Here?: The Future of Fannie and Freddie
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac historically have played a central role in the housing finance system, but after being placed in conservatorship this summer, their future is unclear. This panel will address whether the post-crisis Fannie and Freddie should be wholly owned by the government, completely privatized, or regulated under a public utility model.
Panelists include Alex Pollock, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; formerly President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (pictured left)
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Featured Panel Discussion
Reclaiming the Promise of Homeownership: New Models to Help First-Time Homebuyers Achieve Stability and Build Wealth
Over the last several years, first time homeownership has been transformed from a stepping stone to the American Dream to a nightmare. This panel will examine the most promising models for promoting sustainable homeownership for working class and low income families. The panelists also will explore the specific steps the new administration should take to move the best ideas to scale.
Panelists include Christopher Joye, founder of Rismark International, which has pioneered the development of the world's first mass market, private sector 'shared equity' finance program (pictured left)
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Featured Keynote Speech
Shaun Donovan, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development
On January 26, 2009, Shaun Donovan was sworn in as the 15th United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development. He has devoted his career to ensuring access to safe, decent, and affordable housing nationwide, and will carry on that effort in the Obama Administration. Secretary Donovan believes that America's homes are the foundation for family, safe neighborhoods, good schools, and solid businesses, and that housing represents and confers stability - a base from which to raise America's children. He joins HUD with the commitment to make quality housing possible for every American.
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Featured Remarks
Bruce Katz, Vice President and Director of the Metropolitan Policy Project, The Brookings Institution; Leader, HUD Agency Review Team, Obama-Biden Transition
Mr. Katz, pictured left, will discuss the role of the new White House Office of Urban Policy.
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