What’s New at ACE26
PHADA President John T. Mahon.
As we look ahead to PHADA’s Annual Convention & Exhibition in Chicago (ACE26), I want to highlight how this year’s program reflects PHADA’s commitment to being both member-driven and mission-focused.
Over the past year, members have been clear about what they need most from our conferences: timely federal policy updates, practical operational guidance, and opportunities to learn directly from peers facing similar challenges. ACE26 was built with those priorities in mind.
A Theme Rooted in PHADA’s Strategic Priorities
This year’s theme, “The Power of Story. The Impact of Advocacy,” emerged from discussions at PHADA’s Strategic Board Retreat in September 2025. Trustees emphasized that the stories we tell—about our residents, our communities, and the operational realities we navigate—are often the most effective tools we have in shaping federal policy.
Every housing authority (HA) is engaged in advocacy, whether you’re meeting with congressional offices, working with HUD on HOTMA, or explaining cash management. ACE26 is designed to strengthen that connection between advocacy and policy impact, ensuring that the voices of residents and practitioners continue to inform national decision-making.
A Theme with Operational Relevance
Our theme is not simply about communications; it is about strengthening your agency’s capacity to advocate effectively in a rapidly changing regulatory environment. HAs continue to face shifting expectations from HUD, including:
- HOTMA implementation and compliance challenges, particularly around income calculations and rent determinations.
- Cash management requirements that affect how agencies draw down and manage federal funds.
- BABA domestic content questions that impact procurement and capital planning.
- Ongoing appropriations uncertainty, which affects staffing, operations, and long-term planning.
- New proposed regulations that could affect how we do business.
Clear, personalized storytelling, grounded in real operational
experience, is essential when communicating these challenges to policymakers. At ACE26, we’ll talk about:
- How to communicate program impact and elevate resident voices to elected officials, residents, and community partners.
- How to frame operational challenges in ways that resonate with policymakers.
- How to integrate data and narrative to strengthen your agency’s advocacy.
These sessions were developed to provide practical tools you can bring back to your team and use immediately.
Sessions Shaped by Member Input
Many of the sessions in Chicago were developed directly from member suggestions and reflect the issues HAs are navigating right now. A few examples include:
- A deep dive session on repositioning strategies, featuring housing authorities of different sizes sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they had known earlier.
- A communications session and storytelling workshop, both intended to help you craft messages that resonate with elected officials, residents, and the media.
- A panel on workforce challenges, including recruitment, retention, and building organizational culture in a competitive labor market.
The full agenda is available at: phada.org/ACE26.
You Spoke. We listened: Adjusting Committee and Briefing Times
One of the clearest pieces of feedback we received was the importance of PHADA’s Legislative & Regulatory Briefing. Members rely on this session for updates on appropriations, regulatory changes, and emerging HUD guidance. To ensure more members can attend—and to allow for deeper discussion—we’ve adjusted the timing of this briefing. These changes also required modest adjustments to committee meeting times. Committees remain a critical part of PHADA’s governance structure, and the schedule has been updated to reduce time conflicts and allow members to participate fully in as many committees as they prefer. The full committee schedule is available at: phada.org/ACE26.
A Conference Built Around Connection and Practical Value
Members consistently tell us that one of the most valuable aspects of PHADA conferences is the opportunity to connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of running a housing authority. ACE26 includes structured discussion groups that facilitate conversations and expanded networking opportunities. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a long-time PHADA member, you will find more opportunities to exchange ideas, ask questions, and build relationships that support your work long after the conference ends.
Your Voice Continues to Shape PHADA’s Work
ACE26 is more than an annual gathering; it reflects PHADA’s member-driven approach. Your feedback informs our programming, advocacy priorities, and the resources we develop. This year’s theme, schedule, and session lineup demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that PHADA conferences remain relevant, substantive, and responsive.
As we prepare to meet in Chicago, I want to thank you for your engagement and willingness to share your experiences. Our industry is complex and demanding, but it is also one defined by collaboration. I look forward to seeing you at ACE26 and to joining in the conversations that will help shape PHADA’s work in the year ahead. You spoke. We listened. And in Chicago, you will see that in action.