Plenaries 2024

Thursday, March 7 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Opening Plenary Session – Pacific Ballroom

Celebrating Successes and Shaping the Future: Building a System and Movement to Achieve Housing Justice

Sponsored by Chase Bank

Achieving a housing system that truly meets the needs of low-income Californians will require a paradigmatic shift, both in terms of our strategies and our allies. How can we build on our existing infrastructure for delivering affordable housing, while also creating space to reimagine and actualize a future where government, residents, developers and service providers are working together? And how do we build a movement with real power – one that extends beyond traditional housing stakeholders to people with lived experience and groups that are part of the broader movements for racial and economic justice? Panelists will discuss a future of housing that is grounded in both pragmatism and the systemic change that this crisis demands.

Plenary Speakers

Chione Flegal

Chione Flegal – Moderator
Housing California, Executive Director

Diane Yentel

Diane Yentel
National Low Income Housing Coalition, President and CEO

Tomiquia Moss

Tomiquia Moss
Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, Secretary

William Goodwin

William Goodwin
Hope Solutions, Housing Policy Consultant

Thursday, March 7 | 4:05 PM – 5:00 PM

Afternoon Plenary Session – Pacific Ballroom

Financing Our Future: Campaigns to Grow our Revenue for Affordable Housing

Sponsored by Merritt Community Capital Corporation
In 2021, Housing CA in collaboration with the California Housing Partnership launched Roadmap Home 2030, a bold, long-term plan to create the future we want for California by building affordable homes, protecting low-income renters, ending homelessness, and advancing racial equity and economic inclusion. California will need to invest approximately $18 billion per year to deliver on these goals. Join a lively discussion with housing leaders who are taking this challenge to the voters and translating recent wins into change on the ground. Hear about the work they are leading to secure and direct billions of dollars of new public funding to advance housing justice.

Plenary Speakers

Jennifer Martinez

Jennifer Martinez – Moderator
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Policy Director

Alicia Sebastian

Alicia Sebastian
California Coalition for Rural Housing, Executive Director

Sabrina Smith

Sabrina Smith
California Calls, Chief Executive Officer

Amie Fishman

Amie Fishman
Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, Executive Director

Isela Gracian

Isela Gracian
Senior Deputy, Homelessness and Housing Organization: Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell

Friday, March 8 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Opening Plenary Session – Pacific Ballroom

Tackling California’s Housing Crisis through Innovation, Collaboration, and Visionary Leadership: A Conversation with State Housing Leaders

Sponsored by U.S. Bank
California is leading the nation in developing and implementing innovative and transformative housing and homelessness solutions. Meet the state leaders challenging the status quo and bringing to fruition the dream of a California with homes, health, and prosperity for all in thriving, sustainable communities. During this moderated discussion you will learn what’s working, what’s on the horizon for state policies and programs, how California leaders are thinking of challenges, and the pivotal role advocates play in shaping the future of housing and homelessness.

Opening Remarks

Rob Bonta

Attorney General Rob Bonta
California Department of Justice

Panel

Bernadette Austin

Bernadette Austin – Moderator
CivicWell, Chief Executive Officer

Gustavo Velasquez

Gustavo Velasquez
California Department of Housing and Community Development, Director

Lynn Von Koch-Liebert

Lynn Von Koch-Liebert
Strategic Growth Council, Executive Director

Tiena Johnson-Hall

Tiena Johnson-Hall
California Housing Finance Agency, Executive Director

Dhakshike Wickrema

Dhakshike Wickrema
BCSH, Deputy Secretary