Unavailable, Unaffordable, Unfair: A Conference on Housing in 2025

Addressing Housing Needs in Unprecedented Times. Strategize with other housing and human services experts at the "U3" Housing Conference.

About this Event

Join CNY Fair Housing and the Housing and Homeless Coalition of CNY for a one-day conference on addressing housing needs in unprecented times. Connect with other housing and human services experts to strategize on actionable paths forward as we grapple with record levels of homelessness, increasingly unaffordable housing, and an administration that threatens to exacerbate the existing housing crisis.

The "U3" conference will include a panel discussion, morning and afternoon breakout sessions with your choice of workshops, as well as a film screening and discussion to conclude the day. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Attendees are welcome to select one of three workshops to attend for both the morning and afternoon breakout sessions. Details are below:

Morning Breakout Session (Choose ONE Workshop):

Behind the Build: How Affordable Housing Actually Gets Made

This workshop breaks down how affordable housing is financed, where it gets built, and how. We'll explore the layers of funding programs, what's currently at risk, and emerging models reshaping the future of housing development.

Unwelcome by Design: Fair Housing Issues for New Americans

Everyone deserves safe, fair housing -- no matter where they're from. This workshop will cover housing protections for immigrants and refugees, how to recognize discrimination, and what resources are available for those navigating the housing system in a new country.

Housing Over Handcuffs: Strategies for Serving Unsheltered Homelessness

This session explores effective, humane strategies for reducing unsheltered homelessness—without relying on criminalization. We’ll examine why punitive approaches fail, what practical steps cities can take to address unsheltered homelessness, and how low-barrier shelter fits into a broader housing-first response.

Afternoon Breakout Session (Choose ONE Workshop):

Channels to Change: Leveraging Tenant Power to Improve Housing Conditions

Tenants working collectively can create real change in their housing through three main channels: organizing, political advocacy, and legal action. Join us for a discussion on how tenants can effectively use these strategies to build power and hold housing providers accountable.

Where We Stand: Navigating the New Landscape of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Protections

How are shifting federal policies reshaping protections for LGBTQ individuals today? This session will unpack the evolving legal and political terrain around gender identity and sexual orientation, with a focus on key programs and protections such as the Equal Access Rule, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, and more.

At a Crossroads: Envisioning the Future of Supportive Housing

As federal support for permanent supportive housing comes under threat, this workshop explores what supportive housing is, why it matters, how we can protect existing units, and what pathways exist to expand it.

Please specify which workshop you plan to attend when you register for the conference.

For accommodation requests, please reach out to b3V0cmVhY2ggfCBjbnlmYWlyaG91c2luZyAhIG9yZw==

Thank you for your interest -- we look forward to connecting with you all at the "U3" Housing Conference on July 17th!

Agenda


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration

Info: Join us for a light breakfast and registration before the conference starts.

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Opening Presentation: State of Fair Housing and Homelessness in CNY

Info: Hear from conference hosts, the Housing and Homeless Coalition and CNY Fair Housing.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Panel Discussion: Unsupported – Housing Policy in the New Administration

🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break

🕑: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Breakout Sessions

Info: Choose to attend ONE of the following three workshops: "Behind the Build: How Affordable Housing Actually Gets Made"; "Unwelcome by Design: Fair Housing Issues for New Americans"; or "Housing Over Handcuffs: Strategies for Serving Unsheltered Homelessness"

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch and Networking

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Info: Choose to attend ONE of the following three workshops: "Channels to Change: Leveraging Tenant Power to Improve Housing Conditions"; "Where We Stand: Navigating the New Landscape of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Protections" or "At a Crossroads: Envisioning the Future of Supportive Housing".

🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Break

🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Exclusionary Zoning


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