Series A: 10:30am-12:00pm
Housing, Homelessness, Behavioral Health: NYC’s Response - Astor Ballroom, 7th Floor
Join New York City agency leaders as they discuss advances in the supportive housing sector and high-level strategies to address the homelessness crisis.
Eric Enderlin, President, NYC Housing Development Corporation
Molly Park, she/her, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Social Services
Ahmed Tigani, he/him, Acting Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development
Dr. Harold Jean Wright II, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Division of Mental Hygiene, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
Moderator: Jessica Katz, she/her, Founder; Strategic Policy Advisor, Silver Bullet Consulting; Cannon Heyman & Weiss
What's the Deal in NYS Development? - Empire Complex, 7th Floor
Expanded funding for the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) and the Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP), combined with the latest OMH RFPs for new housing initiatives create opportunities for new and innovative supportive housing development. Come hear from state government officials and bring your questions. View Presentation PDF.
Michael Dehmler, Managing Member, CSD Housing; Attorney, Barclay & Damon
Julie Duncan, she/her, Director, Bureau of Housing Development and Support, NYS Office of Mental Health
Dana Greenberg, she/her, President, Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Brett Hebner, Vice President, Multifamily Finance, New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Moderator: Monica C. McCullough, she/her, President, MM Development Advisors, Inc.
We May Be Down, But the Comeback starts NOW: Response to Federal Challenges - Soho Complex, 7th Floor
The Federal policy landscape on housing and homelessness is being blitzed by the new administration. We are bringing in a panel of national experts to help implement a new winning strategy. Budget and policy threats, criminalizing homelessness and recent attacks on nonprofits will be addressed.
Sonya Acosta, she/her, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Kim Johnson, Senior Director of Public Policy, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Ann Oliva, she/her, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness
Eric Tars, Senior Policy Director, National Homelessness Law Center
Moderator: Will Woods, he/him, Consumer Advocate; Board Member, Urban Pathways; Care for the Homeless
RFP Launch: Improving Housing Outcomes for Tenants with Highly Acute Needs - Shubert Complex, 6th Floor
Supportive housing providers often lack the resources, strategic partnerships, and/or funding to support tenants with highly acute needs like those experiencing co-occurring complex medical and behavioral health concerns. Thanks to the generous support of Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, the Health and Housing Consortium, and the Supportive Housing Network of New York are launching an RFP with funding opportunity to provide innovations and best practices to serve these tenants. This session will provide background and details of this RFP opportunity and provide ample time for Q&A. View Presentation PDF.
Dr. Mardoche Sidor, he/him, Medical Director, Urban Pathways
Tess Sommer, she/her, Director of Strategy and Engagement, The Health & Housing Consortium
Lauren Velez, she/her, Director, Metro Team, Corporation for Supportive Housing
Dr. Van Yu, he/him, Chief Medical Officer, CUCS
Moderator: Rebecca Zangen, she/her, Chief Policy Officer, Supportive Housing Network of New York
From Tension to Trust: Resolving Conflict in Supportive Housing - Marquis Ballroom, 9th Floor
Conflict is inevitable, but when addressed thoughtfully it can strengthen relationships and improve outcomes for staff and residents in supportive housing. This interactive 90-minute workshop explores practical, trauma-informed strategies for navigating tension between staff and residents, among team members, and across systems. Participants will leave with tools to transform conflict into opportunities for connection, accountability, and trust.
Michelle Arbid, she/her, Conflict Resolution Coach, Consultant, and Trainer, Conflict Constructive LLC
Introducer: Tiffany Walker, she/her, Assistant Vice President YA Housing, The New York Foundling
Rooted in Relationship: The Power of Mentorship in Supportive Housing - Cantor/Jolson, 9th Floor
This panel explores the impact of mentorship through the RESH and RELISH programs, highlighting real mentor/mentee connections that exemplify growth, support, and community building.
Emilienne Brown, she/her, Area Manager, West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing
Alexandra Francis, she/her, Chief Program Officer, Lantern Community Services
Jeffrey McQueen, he/him, Executive Director, Mental Health Association of Nassau County
Perthrina Pegus, she/her, Director of Outpatient Addiction Services, NYC Health + Hospitals
Fallon M. Theodore, Director of Operations, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
Moderator: Jonathan Castro, he/him, VP of Supportive Housing, Lantern Community Services
Connecting Through Activity: Occupational Therapy as a Tool for Meaningful Engagement - Odets, 4th Floor
Highlighting the model developed at Project Renewal, our presenters will share both the practitioner and the client's views on the value and efficacy of occupational therapy services in supportive housing. We will describe the unique OT lens and how this approach facilitates engagement and connection to care, as well as the development of functional skills necessary for meaningful participation in daily life activities, and healthful and dignified aging in place. View Presentation PDF.
Robin Kahan-Berman, she/her, Vice President of Occupational Therapy, Project Renewal
Margo Stoner, she/her, Senior Occupational Therapist, Project Renewal
Emilio Vitiello, he/him, Tenant, Geffner House, Project Renewal
Moderator: Lauren Weisenfeld, she/her, Deputy Director, Healthy Aging Program, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation
Listen to the Experts: Elevating Tenant Voices in Advocacy - Ziegfeld, 4th Floor
Supportive housing tenants are spearheading advocacy within their residences, agencies, communities and at the State and City level. This session will spotlight the powerful advocacy happening at agencies and residences and underscores the vital role of tenant advocacy from the well-being of tenants the broader supportive housing movement. View Presentation PDF.
Cristina Abbattista, she/her, Policy Analyst, Urban Pathways
Carlton Bussey, he/him, Tenant Advocate, Urban Pathways
Loretta Glover Tenant Advocate, Project FIND
Anthony C. Hammond, he/him, Tenant Advocate, Project FIND
Gabriela Sandoval Requena, she/her/ella, Vice President of External Affairs, New Destiny Housing
Sharike, Member of New Destiny's Survivor Voices Project, New Destiny Housing
Moderator: Mark Jennings, he/him, Executive Director, Project FIND
Deepening the Conversation - Technical Assistance around Workforce Development in Supportive Housing - Wilder, 4th Floor
Join staff from the New York State Office of Mental Health’s Workforce Development Unit to discuss challenges with recruitment and retention in the workplace. OMH staff will provide technical assistance tailored to the housing workforce as well as listen to individual concerns and suggestions to improve workplace stability. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the developing Credentialed Mental Health Support Specialist (CMHSS) paraprofessional career ladder and provide valuable feedback to help ensure the CMHSS will benefit housing programs.
Sam Fletcher, Director of Workforce Development, NYS Office of Mental Health
Olivia Knox, she/her, Mental Health Program Specialist, NYS Office of Mental Health