Host organizations HousingWorks Austin and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas are bringing together diverse audiences - including the real estate and business industry, housing and community development practitioners, and financial institutions - to better understand challenges and opportunities around creating equitable economic opportunities for all.

Economic opportunity and mobility are at the core of America’s identity and values. These ideals are embodied in the American Dream, the unwavering belief that every American must have an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work. Yet we know that the rates of intergenerational income mobility differ between cities and zip codes. How can we ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have the same prospects for success as their affluent peers? How do we ensure that all children have equal access to educational and economic opportunities regardless of the zip code they live in? What role can safe and affordable housing play in improving opportunities for all? The summit will attempt to answer these questions while focusing on Austin Texas and the Central Texas region.

Summit Agenda

Please note: All speakers are confirmed unless otherwise noted.

Friday, February 9, 2018 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, Austin, TX

7:30 – 8:15 AM Registration

7:30 – 8:15 AM Breakfast

8:15 – 8:25 AM Welcome

• Michael Gerber, Chair | HousingWorks Austin Board of Directors
• Roy Lopez, Community Development Officer | Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

8:25 – 8:30 AM Introduction of Keynote Conversation: Presenting Sponsor JP Morgan Chase

8:30– 9:15 AM Keynote Conversation

• Evan Smith, Editor-in-Chief and CEO | Texas Tribune and Host of “Overheard with Evan Smith” | PBS
• Mayor Steve Adler | City of Austin
• Judge Sarah Eckhardt | Travis County

9:15 – 9:20 AM Introduction of Keynote Address: Emily Ryder Perlmeter, Analyst | Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

9:20 – 10:00 AM Keynote Speaker: Rolf Pendall, Co-Director | Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute Washington, D.C

10:00 – 10:15AM Networking Break

10:15 – 11:25 AM General Session: Credit, Debt, and Intergenerational Wealth - Moderator: Mechele Dickerson, Arthur L. Moller Chair in Bankruptcy Law and Practice, University Distinguished Teaching Professor University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Access to housing and credit is integral to building the American dream. Without access to credit and the ability to secure a mortgage, homeownership and building wealth through home equity remain a distant dream for many Americans. Racial disparities in credit scoring and credit reporting particularly lead to an economic racial divide that reflects past discrimination. This session will explore the basis of existing inequalities in accessing credit and explore opportunities for addressing this challenge.

Panelists:

• Ann Baddour, State Director, Fair Financial Services Project | Texas Appleseed
• Garrett Groves, Economic Opportunity Program Director | Center for Public Policy Priorities, Austin
• Joyce McDonald, Executive Director | Frameworks Community Development Corporation

11:50 – 1:00 PM Lunch

General Session: Reimagining Cities: Housing + Social & Economic Mobility - Moderator: Sherri R. Greenberg, Fellow of the Max Sherman Chair in State and Local Government, Clinical Professor | University of Texas at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs

Panelists:

• Christina Dunigan, Graduate Student | The University of Texas at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs
• Paul Cruz, Superintendent | Austin Independent School District
• Mike Geeslin, President and CEO| Central Health
• Rob Spillar, P.E., Director | Austin Transportation Department

1:00 - 1:15 PM Transition Break

1:15 - 2:45 PM Breakout Sessions

Track #1: Digital Inclusion: Access and Economic Opportunity - Moderator: Jordana Barton, Senior Community Development Advisor, San Antonio Branch | Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

The boom in global broadband over the past two decades has changed the way we access financial services, job opportunities, education, healthcare and social networks. Yet this digital growth has not been even across communities. In Austin, access to the Internet lags behind for African-Americans, Hispanics, older residents, and those with lower incomes and education. This session will explore why closing this digital divide is essential for economic, social and political equity, as well as what tools and resources can be used to invest in broadband infrastructure and digital literacy in underserved communities.

Panelists:

• Catherine Crago, Strategic Initiatives and Resource Development | Housing Authority of the City of Austin
• Parisa Fatehi-Weeks, Head of Community Impact Strategy | Google Fiber, Alphabet, Inc.
• Dina Lehmann-Kim, ConnectHome Community Coordinator and ROSS Program Coordinator | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C.
  
  

Track #2: Educational Initiatives, Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity - Moderator: Roy Lopez, Community Development Officer | Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Meaningful employment and access to education is key to addressing affordability issues in Austin. On average, college educated individuals have higher earnings and greater contributions to the local economy over their lifetimes. Affordable educational and workforce development programs focused on local needs can help connect employees to stable jobs and provide greater economic opportunities. Working with major employers is essential for creating successful and integrated programs. This session will focus on efforts aimed at connecting potential employees with varying educational attainment to meaningful employment opportunities in the region.

Panelists:

• Andres Alcantar, Chairman, Commissioner Representing the Public | Texas Workforce Commission
• Richard Rhodes, President and Chief Executive Officer | Austin Community College
• Will Coombes, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and Board member| 2018 Chair of the Chamber Talent Council| Site Executive for VISA

Track #3: Workforce Housing: Platform for Economic Growth - Moderator: Geronimo Rodriguez, Chief Advocacy Officer | Seton Healthcare Family and Trustee | Austin Independent School District

Federal guidelines contend that a household should pay no more than 30 percent of its income toward housing expenses. Even though incomes have stayed relatively flat in the past decade, housing costs have increased dramatically over the same period. With strong employment growth in low- and moderate-wage job sectors, it is crucial to develop effective strategies to adequately house the workers who make our community function. In this session, we will assess the concept of “workforce” housing and explore creative strategies to increase the supply of affordable housing to this sector. Special topics will include Austin’s “strike fund” for the preservation of workforce housing, as well as local efforts to develop employer-assisted housing.

Panelists:

• Emily Chenevert, Interim CEO| Austin Board of Realtors
• C. Kent Conine, Former President | National Association of Homebuilders and Former Chairman | Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
• Erik Soliván, Executive Director | Mayor’s Office of H.O.P.E, Denver CO
• David Steinwedell, President and Chief Executive Officer | Affordable Central Texas
  
  

3:00 PM Closing Reception

Suggested lodging options can be found here.

Parking avaialbe in Conference Center Garage.