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2025 ULI Housing Opportunity Conference 2025 ULI Housing Opportunity Conference
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Hilton Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, UNITED STATES February 25-26, 2025

Concurrent Session

Tue Feb 25 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom A, Level 2

Homeless to Housed: Marrying the Money with the Deal

Securing financing and building the right capital stack is critical to catalyzing the supply of deeply affordable housing connected to supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. A panel of public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders will discuss impact investing, risk-adjusted returns, and converting market-rate properties to affordable housing. The discussion will highlight how these strategies promote equitable growth, strengthen communities, and create lasting change.
Tue Feb 25 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom B, Level 2

The Evolving Single-Family Rental Landscape: Balancing Growth, Sustainability, and Market Dynamics

As the single-family rental (SFR) sector continues to grow, it faces a range of opportunities and challenges, from preserving aging housing stock to navigating complex financing and market dynamics. This panel brings together diverse perspectives from key industry leaders to discuss the future of the SFR market, with a focus on sustainability, financing strategies, and the balance between growth and social responsibility. Whether you're a developer, investor, or policy-maker, join us for an in-depth discussion on how these strategies are shaping the future of single-family rentals and ensuring long-term viability through responsible development, management, and investment. 
Tue Feb 25 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom C, Level 2

Policy Innovations to Increase Production

The evergreen housing issue is how supply constraints are limiting growth where it is needed. Limited housing supply is ramping up costs, forcing sprawl, and most American cities will need years to catch up. However, states and local governments have finally begun implementing reforms to address the factors that limit production. This panel, moderated by Atlanta Housing’s CEO, Terri Lee, will discuss how Atlanta’s housing study informed city-wide housing targets and goals and the policies that are being implemented to achieve these ambitious goals. National examples will show other ways cities and states are trying to boost production and reduce supply constraints. From regulations to incentives, the panel will share what can and should be done to achieve a more balanced, healthy and affordable housing market.
Tue Feb 25 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom D, Level 2

Unlocking Housing Potential: Barriers and Opportunities in U.S. Capital Markets

In this session, industry leaders will provide real-time financing solutions for constructing and acquiring affordable and market-rate housing. They will provide an in-depth analysis of current market conditions relative to interest rates, capital flows, and lending conditions, and the implications of each of these for housing financing. 
Tue Feb 25 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom A, Level 2

Closing the Racial Homeownership Gap

Homeownership among Black, Hispanic, and Native American households remains lower than that of white households across all U.S. states. This panel will explore how data-driven actions and targeted strategies can help close this gap. Specifically, we will examine the critical roles of assessments and appraisals, the opportunities created by strategic partnerships and proactive investments, and how the real estate community is developing better offerings to support local wealth creation.
Tue Feb 25 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom B, Level 2

New Product Types in the Market: Missing Middle, Modular, and Manufactured Housing

Design innovation can find better housing solutions for the evolving homeowner or renter; while traditional single family detached homes and apartments dominate the market, other product types have emerged to cut costs, design for different needs, and add density without high rises. This panel will feature a presentation on manufactured housing, modular housing, and other housing typologies, dispelling the myths on what each of these designs look like, how they are designed and delivered, and what are the challenges facing their ability to scale.
Tue Feb 25 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom C, Level 2

Proptech & AI

This session will focus on how technology is changing the landscape of how housing is leased, managed, and financed. Experts will share the benefits of using technology to optimize operations, support sustainability, and increase housing access. The impact of these new technologies on these systems is key to understanding the future of housing in the US.
Tue Feb 25 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom D, Level 2

Double Bottom Line — Private Investments to Generate Housing Affordability and Financial Returns

This session will explore innovative investment strategies that balance social impact with financial viability, addressing the urgent need for affordable housing. Join a panel of national and local experts from Atlanta, Charlotte, and other smaller markets as they discuss successful approaches, challenges faced, and replicable solutions. Topics will include the impact of private investment in unlocking new housing developments, preserving existing affordable units, and advancing sustainability initiatives, all while generating solid returns on investments.


Wed Feb 26 10:30 AM — 11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom A, Level 2

Unlocking Housing in Unlikely Places

This session will explore how houses of worship can help address the housing crisis by leveraging faith-owned land to develop affordable housing. Partnerships between faith organizations and developers can lead to innovative projects that align with religious missions while expanding housing supply, especially in high cost areas. However, these projects can be complex and difficult to execute. Panelists will share successful models of faith-based land development, best practices, and strategies for overcoming barriers such as zoning, financing, and community concerns.


Wed Feb 26 10:30 AM — 11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom B, Level 2

High Growth Suburbs: Best Ideas in Policy, Planning, and Practices for Embracing Growth

This panel will feature a robust discussion on how magnet suburbs manage increasing population growth, changing demographic profiles, and land use pressures. Stakeholder engagement, planning and entitlement, design and density strategies will be explored through successful development in Charlotte, Alpharetta's growth and transformation, and national examples from ULI's Suburban Development and Redevelopment Product Council. Panelists will take the attendees through the nuts and bolts of case studies, covering the project approval process, community engagement strategies, partnerships with public agencies to shape zoning policy, and creative density and design solutions. The session will be interactive with opportunities for conference attendees to share their experience in similar communities or to learn other tools for working in suburban communities.


Wed Feb 26 10:30 AM — 11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom C, Level 2

The Future of Technology and Affordability in Real Estate Development

An efficient real estate development process will ensure future financial affordability and sustainability. From policy to design to construction to management, practitioners of the built environment must embrace and deploy technology to achieve affordability. This session will discuss current academic work at Georgia Tech on implementing technology in real estate development and construction.
Wed Feb 26 10:30 AM — 11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom D, Level 2

Pink Collar Housing and Issues Affecting Women of Color in CRE

This engaging roundtable, led by Lisa Benjamin and Althea Broughton, brings together top African American Executive Women who are fostering innovation and leading in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry to explore the challenges and opportunities in housing development, investment, and economic mobility. Panelists will discuss barriers to entry, access to capital, and workforce housing disparities, particularly the impact of Pink Collar Housing - affordable housing critical for women in professions like teaching and nursing.
The discussion will also address systemic challenges facing women developers and CRE professionals, including navigating capital markets, overcoming bias in deal-making, and scaling projects. Additionally, panelists will examine how shifting policies and the evolving political landscape shape funding, tax incentives, and regulations affecting women entrepreneurs and affordable housing development. With a focus on economic opportunity, industry inclusion, and long-term sustainability, this session will offer actionable strategies and policy insights to empower women leaders in CRE and drive meaningful change in housing investment.

Hilton Atlanta
Atlanta, GA, UNITED STATES

February 25-26, 2025

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