1. Beyond Compliance: Designing Resident Services That Transform Lives
Effective resident services are a vital component of successful multifamily property management, especially in communities governed by Land Use Restriction Agreements (LURAs) and within public housing and RAD conversions. This session will guide property managers, service coordinators, and compliance teams in designing and delivering impactful resident services that not only meet regulatory requirements but also address the unique needs of residents. We will explore strategies for coordinating services across LIHTC and public housing programs, tracking outcomes, and leveraging community partnerships to enhance resident well-being while maintaining compliance. Learn how a strong resident services program can improve resident retention, support stability, and transform communities from the ground up.
Presenter: Phat Pham, Kim Nguyen and Marie Forbes, Emana LLC
2. Powering Community Prosperity: Turning Utility Connections into Funding & Opportunity
Description:
Learn how BeeConnected Now helps public housing communities turn utility connections into new funding streams and resident benefits. Discover how a portion of profits from setting up residential and commercial utilities can be reinvested locally into your PHA, and how services like deposit payment plans and credit-building tools that use rent payments and monthly rental payments to build credit scores can empower residents. Join us to see how essential services can drive both community funding and resident opportunity.
Presenter – Contessa Corkern, Bee Connected Now
3. Implementing the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Voucher Program to Prevent Homelessness.
Description:
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) – Transitional Living Services -program offers a variety of services, supports and resources to help Transition Aged Youth (TAY) with their successful transition to adulthood.
The DFPS Housing Program is an innovation that is creating a comprehensive access and response system that provides critical information, resources, support, preparation & planning, and flexible housing options to prevent and end homelessness. The new Housing Plan helps identify housing options including “in-care” such as Extended Foster Care and the Supportive Independent Living (SIL) programs, and “out-of-care” including the following rental assistance programs (vouchers) – Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), Family Unification Program (FUP), and Section 811 (Disabilities). The Housing Plan is now statewide policy, so every youth must complete one at age 17. It helps young adults prepare and plan for housing, explore the various housing options, screen for eligibility, and create a roadmap to achieve their goals of independent living and sustainable housing. The DFPS Housing Program is considered one of the most organized and robust access & response system in America.
This presentation will showcase the creation, implementation, and evolution of our housing program for Transition Aged Youth (TAY). The presenters will share information about the creation of our program, goals, strategies, structure, and on-going program development of the housing program. A review of the overall housing process will be shared which begins with a housing plan, the various housing options including ‘In-care” and “out-of-care” programs, and the utilization of these programs with a focus on the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program. A thorough discussion of the development, challenges, successes, and lessons learned will be shared to assist others implementing similar programs. Finally, the future of the program including new innovations will be revealed and the presentation will conclude with an engagement activity with participants. There will be time for questions and answers too.
Presenter – Jim Currier, MSW, Youth Housing Program Specialist, The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services