Massachusetts Chapter NAHRO

SUNDAY, MAY 17

3:00-5:00 PM    Hotel Lobby     CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

4:00-7:00 PM    Nauset Exhibit Hall   EXHIBIT HALL VIEWING

Please become acquainted with our vendors and the products and services that they offer your agency.

5:30-7:00 PM     Nauset Exhibit Hall       RECEPTION

     co-sponsored by: SMEDA, HAB Inc., NSHEDA

7:00 PM     Oceanfront Dining Room            DINNER
Guest Speaker: Congressman Barney Frank

9:00 PM    Surf Lounge        Dancing & Entertainment

10:30 PM    Hotel Lobby             COFFEE & COOKIES
Sponsored by: Execu-Tech Consultants

MONDAY, MAY 18

7:00-9:00 AM, Oceanfront Dining Room        BREAKFAST

8:00 AM, Hotel Lobby             CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Bayside   EXHIBITOR DEMONSTRATIONS

9:00 ‑ 10:30 a.m.
General Session ‑ The State Public Housing Budget, Legislation and Management Issues Update. ‑ This session will cover the important changes impactingstate‑aided public housing, including the prospects for additional operating subsidy and capital resources, program changes and enhancements, and the goals for the public housing program in 2009‑2010.
Moderator:Stephen Merritt, President, MassNAHRO
Speakers:Amy Schectman, Associate Director for Public Housing and Rental Assistance, DHCD;Neil O'Brien and Jeff Haggerty, Housing Advocates, Brian S. Hickey Associates, Boston;Tom Connelly, Executive Director, MassNAHROCOFFEE SET-UP   Sponsored by: Mass. State Employees Credit Union

10:30 AM-12:15 PM, Nauset Exhibit Hall     EXHIBIT HALL VIEWING

COFFEE BREAK    Sponsored by: AdLife Healthcare, LLC

10:45 ‑ 12:15 p.m.
DHCD Model Lease Requirements ‑ A Workshop for LHA Maintenance Employees ‑ This abbreviated version the regional presentations made to LHA maintenance staff will review the provisions and legal implications of DHCD's form lease for public housing units and its role in ensuring lease compliance. In addition to the DHCD form lease, we’ll review several selections from DHCD’s tenant selection, code of conduct and rent determination regulations, as well as the state sanitary code.
Leader: Maura Hamilton
Presenters:  LHA Regional Counsel

The Capital Planning System ‑ Transition to Capital
Improvement Plans and Formula Funding Update ‑ In this session, key staff from DHCD will review the CPS transition plan, pipeline timetables, funding availability, and a preview of how Capital Planning and formula funding is anticipated to work in the future.
Presenters: Lizbeth Heyer, Director of Program Development, DHCD; Ray Frieden, Director of Housing Development and Construction
12:15 PM Oceanfront Dining Room   LUNCH
Presentation of Longevity Awards; Board Member & MPHA Certifications

2:00 ‑ 5:00 p.m.
DHCD Technical Assistance Resource Center ‑ The DHCD Resource Room will be open all afternoon for greater access, and staffed with knowledgeable personnel from the Department of Housing and Community Development.Each will cover a specific area of information to assist you with any and all technical questions.Take advantage of this golden opportunity from 2 to 5 this year.

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Workshop: Sample Personnel Policies for Smaller Housing Authorities ‑ SHADO will host an interactive workshop on its recently developed Sample Personnel Policy. The policy has been developed by colleagues for colleagues and will serve as a useful tool for updating or developing you own policies. Join in the discussion and receive a copy of the sample policy.
Moderator: Susan Horner, Easton H.A.
Presenters: Barbara Thurston, Bourne Housing Authority, Maura Hamilton, DHCD.

Going Green: Practical Approaches for Saving Energy and Water ‑  Come and learn about the stimulus funding available for weatherization of state public housing and the draft three year plans to expand and improve utility energy efficiency programs. Find out about the many practical and immediate actions that housing authorities are taking to save energy and water, keep utility costs in check, and maintain properties with environmentally friendly supplies and services. We'll alsofeaturethe results of actual pilot projects with solar panels, cogeneration and wood pellet stoves.
Moderator: Debra Hall, Sustainability Programs Developer, Department of Housing and  Community Development;

Compulsive Hoarding: Tools for Assessment and Intervention:What issues can a hoarding problem incur? This session will discuss what hoarding is, the issues around it and intervention strategies on how to solve it.
Moderator: Walter McGuire, Executive Director, Waltham Housing Authority
Presenter:Jesse Edsall‑Vetter, Case Management Specialist, Metropolitan Housing Partnership.

4:00 p.m.
MassNAHRO Annual Meeting, Reports and Election

5:30-7:00 PM, Nauset Exhibit Hall    RECEPTION
     Co-sponsored by:
MassNAHRO Insurance Group
TD Banknorth
Section 8 Administrators Assoc.

7:00 PM, Oceanfront Dining Room    DINNER

Annual Awards presentations by MassNAHRO President Steve Merritt

9:00 PM   Ballroom I&II ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP SHOW

Hypnotist Joe DeVito - Proceeds to benefit the Past Presidents Scholarship Fund.

10:30 PM    Hotel Lobby             COFFEE & COOKIES
Sponsored by: Execu-Tech Consultants

TUESDAY, MAY 19

7:00-9:00 AM Oceanfront Dining Room     BREAKFAST

8:30 AM Hotel Lobby      CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

9:00 a.m. ‑ 2:00p.m.
DHCD Technical Assistance Resource Center ‑ The resource room will be open from 9 until 2 to provide a greater opportunity for you to ask questions and receive eye to eye technical assistance as needed.Bring your questions and comments.

9:00 – 2:00 PM
Creating Your Own LHA Website - Ray Ferrante of PHANetwork Software has developed a template for housing authorities to create an easily maintain their own websites. If you’re looking to launch a website for your agency but don’t know how to get started, stop by to see a demonstration of this new, easy-to-use, an inexpensive tool!

9:00 ‑ 10:30 a.m.
Leveraging HUD Capital Funds & and Rural Housing Funds with Fannie Mae – This session will explain Fannie Mae’s Modernization Express direct loan product secured solely by a PHA’s future capital funds (CFFP & RHF) to leverage capital funds for immediate modernization needs or development opportunities. Now, the process is ever easier with streamlined procedures announced in late 2008 by HUD that can greatly shorten the time needed to prepare a PHA’s Modernization Express submittal to HUD and, once there, to be approved. Modernization Express can also help PHAs address modernization needs greater than what can be completed with stimulus payments.
Moderator: Gene Capoccia, Executive Director, Leominster H.A.
Presenter: Richard Staples, Senior Business Developer, FannieMae

GASB Pronouncement 45 Seminar ‑ Outlining Federal Housing Authority Fiscal Responsibilities ‑ The presentation is on Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncement 45 including the impact that it will have on housing authorities and what will be needed to implement the provisions of the pronouncement. GASB 45 is a new standard issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board that will affect all Massachusetts housing authorities. The new standard will require housing authorities to recognize currently liabilities and expenses for future health care benefits and other benefits that may someday be paid to current employees after their retirement.
Moderator:Robert Powilatis, Chairman, Holbook Housing Authority
Presenters: Thomas Hurley, Partner, Hurley, O’Neill & Company, Parker Elmore, President & CEO, Primoris Benefit Advisors, Inc.

The DTA & DHCD Housing Merger: Local Impact Round Table ‑ This session will provide the information to date on the planning for how the merger will work, the impact on current rules and regulations and the implications for the housing programs administered locally by housing authorities.Come with your questions and comments.
Moderator:Dan Ouellette, Executive Director, Salisbury Housing Authority
Participants:Robert Pulster, Executive Director, Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness; Stephanie Brown, Director of Housing and Homeless Services, Department of Transitional Assistance; Amy Schectman, Associate Director for Public Housing and Rental Assistance, DHCD

Community Development Workshop ‑ Taking the Mystery out of Reverse Mortgages ‑ In these tough economic times people are struggling to make their mortgage tax and utility payments to keep their homes.You may have heard about reverse mortgages but do you qualify and is it a good idea?Learn how the Economic Recovery Act of 2008 expands and simplifies housing options for seniors.This workshop will take the mystery out of reverse mortgages.Even if a reverse mortgage is not for you, someone you know may benefit.Learn from our panel and be prepared to ask questions.
Moderator:Peter Garbati, Director of Community Development, Malden Redevelopment Authority
Presenters:Susan Grunwald, Equity Loan Officer Reverse Mortgages, Bank of America; Dennis Falcione, Housing Specialist, Malden Redevelopment Authority and Neighbor Works Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor

10:30 AM Hotel Lobby    COFFEE BREAK
Sponsored by: Central Executive Directors Assoc. (CEDA)

10:45 ‑ 12:15 p.m.
Public Housing and Section 8 Update ‑ This informative session is presented by the top officials from HUD's New England Regional Office of Public Housing in Boston.The topics addressed will include public housing and section 8 program modifications, reporting requirements and other timely items of importance to PHAs.
Moderator:Colleen Doherty, Executive Director, Taunton Housing Authority and Chair, MassNAHRO Housing Committee
Presenters:Donna Ayala, Director, HUD Regional Office of Public Housing for New England;Robert Cwieka, Deputy Director, HUD Regional Office of Public Housing

Disciplining the Housing Authority Employee - This program discusses and explains pre-controversy preventative measure a housing authority can take so that discipline is effective. The program reviews the special rules regarding housing authority employees, civil service issues, issues arising from collective bargaining agreements, constitutional issues related to public employees, how discrimination and retaliation laws are implicated by discipline issues and much more! The program is designed to provide management with effective tools for handling and succeeding in the disciplinary process.
Moderator: Jennifer Polito, Operations Manager, MassNAHRO
Presenters: Melissa Shea, Esq. and Meghan B. Sullivan, Esq., Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn, Housing Authority Labor Relations/Legal Specialists

Workers' Compensation 101 - An informational session about workers compensation insurance, what is covered, what are the benefits, how the claims process works, claims scenarios, Q&A, how your premium is calculated and why the MassNAHRO Insurance Group is so successful.
Presenters: Dave Matosky, CRM, and Bill Braman of CMS Associates, Inc., on behalf of the MassNAHRO Insurance Group, Inc.

12:15 PM   Oceanfront Dining Room   PAST PRESIDENTS LUNCHEON

Past Presidents Memorial Scholarship presentations.
Guests:MassNAHRO Past Presidents

2:00 ‑ 3:45 p.m.
Small Authority Round Table ‑ This session will focus on the issues and challenges facing the administrators of smaller housing agencies today.An update on previous meetings and the latest on topics such as budgets, staffing, benefits, regional collaboration, technical assistance, trainingand others will be addressed.Resource persons from DHCD will participate.
Session Facilitators:Mark Roy, Executive Director, Canton Housing Authority and Susan Horner, Executive Director, Easton Housing Authority, Co‑chairs of MassNAHROSmall Authority Task Force
Resource Guests:Amy Schectman, Laura Taylor, Debra Hall, Lizbeth Heyer, and other key DHCD personnel.

HUD Competitive Capital Fund NOFA - On Monday, May 11^th, HUD released the Competitive Capital Fund NOFA, inviting PHAs to compete for an additional billion dollars in Capital Funds that were released under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This session will focus on the application requirements and procedures. The Competitive Capital Fund NOFA invites PHAs to seek funding in four categories: 1)     Improvements addressing the needs of the elderly and/or persons with disabilities; 2)     Public housing transformation; 3)     Gap financing for projects that are stalled due to financing issues; and 4)     Creation of energy efficient, green communities.   HUD has set tight application schedules because this funding must be fully obligated by HUD by September 30, 2009. HUD has also established critical thresholds, and new and complex grant application procedures. Panelists will review the application schedules, criteria for grant submissions, and the nuances within the four funding categories. The first grant application deadline is June 15^th, so this session is intended to assist Massachusetts housing authorities to get up to speed quickly in going after this remarkable and unusual opportunity. Panelists: Andrew Daniels, MAPPLAN Assoc.; Ian Tink, Tandem Care,Inc.

Advocacy and the Legislative Process for Housing Officials The members of MassNAHRO are elected or appointed local officials. As resources get more scarce, we all need to pitch in.Housing authority officials must be advocates.This session will provide advocacy tips, list common pitfalls to avoid, and outline key points in the legislative process.Ask this panel of political experts your advocacy questions and offer your own viewpoint.
Panelists:Jeff Haggerty and Neil O'Brien, Brian Hickey Associates, Legislative Consultants, Boston;Richard Leco, New England Regional Legislative Network Chair, Member, North Attleboro Housing Authority; Legislator TBA

5:30-7:00 PM, Bayside     RECEPTION

Sponsored by: MassNAHRO Insurance Group, Inc., WMEDA

7:00 PM, Oceanfront Dining Room     DINNER BUFFET

9:00 PM, Surf Lounge    Dancing & Entertainment

10:30 PM, Hotel Lobby   COFFEE & COOKIES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

7:00-9:00 AM, Oceanfront Dining Room    BREAKFAST

9:15-10:45 AM   CLOSING SESSION
Interactive Issues Forum and Feedback Round Table