Recap of OFN CONNECT+ Forum: Equitable Housing Finance
On May 18, OFN welcomed nearly 600 CDFI industry peers and other advocates from across the country for our CONNECT+ Forum: Equitable Housing Finance. This virtual, half-day event focused on the policy, practice, and financing necessary to achieve truly equitable and resilient housing in our communities − rural, urban, and Native − and ensure ready access to responsible and affordable housing finance for all.
Following introductory remarks from OFN President and CEO Lisa Mensah, OFN Board Chair and Appalachian Community Capital President and CEO Donna Gambrell led a conversation with Sandra Thompson, Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA). Forum attendees then had the opportunity to participate in five interactive breakout sessions on:
- Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH): an Emerging CDFI Sector
- Creating an Equitable Homeownership Ecosystem
- Mortgage Lending in Underestimated Markets
- Developing Equitable, Resilient Affordable Housing
- Policy Update and Outlook: What’s Next for Federal Housing Policy?
The event closed with remarks from Ginnie Mae President Alanna McCargo, as well as a conversation between Noel Poyo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Economic Development at U.S. Department of Treasury, and OFN Executive Vice President, Network Services Seth Julyan.
Missed the forum or there’s something you want to revisit? Watch session recordings on-demand for free!
