Legislative Forum Sponsors

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The 2021 Legislative Forum will be PHADA's first in person meeting since our January 2020 Commissioners Conference. We are looking forward to gathering PHADA members again. The 2021 Legislative Forum comes at a most opportune time (with much happening) and we hope you will join us in the nation's capital.

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A Special Message from PHADA President David A. Northern, Sr.

Attendees' Safety is Our Top Priority

With the rise of the Delta variant being a concern for all of us, PHADA has taken proactive steps to follow best practices for hosting live meetings. We recently implemented a proof of vaccination or negative COVID test in order to attend the Forum. Already many have complied by providing proof of vaccination in advance. In addition, in accordance with the District of Columbia's Indoor Mask Mandate, all attendees will be required to wear a mask indoors (except while actively eating or drinking).

I am happy to report that registration for this year's event is in line with pre-pandemic levels, exceeding our expectations. We are working closely with the hotel to provide ample hand sanitizer stations and enhanced cleaning of conference spaces.

Although we have all witnessed event cancellations, both professional and recreational, we have also seen many take place successfully due, in part, to the efforts of the organizers and staff, as well as with the cooperation of attendees who value face-to-face interaction while practicing safe health protocols. I am confident that together we can have an enjoyable and informative event by collectively doing our part to take care of ourselves and each other.

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COVID-19 Safety Measures

Washington, DC fully "re-opened" as of June 11 and gathering limits are no longer in place (see DC Mayor's Order 2021-069). Our host hotel is open and hosting meetings and is prepared to safely welcome you back. The city's restaurants, tourist sites, and the area's Metro system, are open as well.

In order to provide the safest meeting environment possible, PHADA's leadership has decided to institute additional safety measures for the conference. Due to the rising spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Legislative Forum attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test (within 72 hours). Instructions on how to submit proof of vaccination have been sent to conference attendees.

Effective July 31, Mayor Bowser has instituted an indoor mask mandate for Washington, DC. Legislative Forum attendees will be required to wear a mask indoors (except while actively eating or drinking). Click here for more information about the city's COVID-19 data and guidance.

Resources:

• Latest COVID-19 Data for Washington, DC
• Travel Status Update
• What's Open in DC
• Latest CDC Guidance

In the days following the conference, PHADA was notified by 3 attendees from the Legislative Forum that they tested positive for COVID-19. PHADA instituted a number of precautions at the conference, including requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test prior to entering the event. However, in an abundance of caution, we are providing you with this notice and encouraging you to take all precautions that you believe are appropriate, which may include self-monitoring for symptoms and seeking out testing.

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Meetings with Congressional Representatives & HUD

We encourage attendees to reach out to your representatives now to schedule meetings during your time in Washington, DC.

Scheduling procedures vary by office and are still evolving, but typically requests are made by phone or through the lawmakers' website. If you have a contact at your local office, they may be able to assist you in scheduling a meeting at the Washington, DC office. You can also contact the Washington, DC office directly to request a meeting. You may get an initial response that the buildings are not open to the public, but many offices are willing to schedule in-person meetings.

When contacting the offices, be sure to mention that you are a constituent and include background on your housing authority and why you would like to meet with your representative. If you do not hear back in a few weeks' time, call the office directly to follow-up on your meeting request.

View the directories below for contact information for your representative:

• U.S. House of Representatives
• U.S. Senate

As the congressional offices are not currently open to the public, visitors will likely need to be escorted into buildings and there may be limits on the number of meeting attendees. When scheduling your meetings, confirm what procedures will be in place for your visit with the Scheduler.

These face-to-face meetings with your representatives are critical to communicating your organization's priorities and needs at the local and national level. Specific examples of how programs and funding have or will impact the residents of your housing authority are particularly impactful. The Legislative/Regulatory Briefing and other sessions at the conference will provide you with the most up to date information on current funding proposals and priorities for the affordable housing industry.

Please note that the HUD offices are also closed to the public, however, we are expecting HUD officials to address the meeting.

Happenings on the Hill & at HUD

PHADA expects appropriations committees in both houses to take up FY 22 spending bills later this month and in July so that different versions can be reconciled and signed into law by the end of the fiscal year on September 30. As always, PHADA will report full details as they become available while also providing members our position papers to take to your meetings with lawmakers.

If Congress cannot meet the September 30 deadline, lawmakers will have to adopt a Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating. This timing means that we will be in Washington right as lawmakers are making final decisions on the budget - even more reason for you to be present and armed with PHADA's materials to help advance our positions with Congress.

Our September meeting will cover a lot of the hot topics that HAs need to know as well. PHADA's policy staff, Hill representatives and HUD officials will cover a variety of important topics including the latest on FY22 HUD appropriations and capital funding in the infrastructure bill, the Moving to Work expansion, the Section 8 mobility demonstration, NSPIRE and REAC inspections, new Fair Housing rules, and a host of other important matters. HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge will join us to discuss her priorities for the Department.

See You in Washington

One of the most valuable aspects of PHADA's meetings, of course, is that they provide PHADA Members with the opportunity to convene, network and share information. This will be particularly useful this time around as we can learn from one another about different office re-opening procedures, safety protocols that agencies have implemented, and other innovations HAs have instituted as result of the pandemic.

In short, our September meeting will provide a great opportunity and timing for you to get back in touch with your colleagues after more than a year and a half apart.

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Agenda

View the Conference Agenda

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Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received in writing before August 13, 2021, will be refunded less an $80 administrative fee. Substitutions are welcome if notified in writing. There will be no refunds after August 13, 2021. No refunds are given for no-shows. BY SUBMITTING THIS REGISTRATION FORM YOU ARE AGREEING TO PHADA's CANCELLATION POLICY.

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Hotel Information
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001

• Room Rate: $245 - A portion of the room rate is being used to offset conference costs.
• Hotel Reservation Policy: Register first then reserve your room. You will receive a code in your registration confirmation email that will allow you to reserve your hotel accommodations in the room block. Reservations at the PHADA group rate are still available at this time. Any reservations in the PHADA room block without a corresponding conference registration may be canceled without notice.

Hyatt's Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment focuses on the safety and well-being of our colleagues and guests and builds on existing rigorous safety and cleanliness protocols. The hotel has also achieved the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star Facility Accreditation that helps facilities demonstrate they have the proper cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention systems in place.

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship Prospectus

For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Sara Patterson.

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PHADA/Rutgers University Executive Director Education Program (EDEP)

As the country reopens, PHADA and Rutgers will offer one in-person cohort and one virtual cohort (an extension of Rutgers' emergency distance learning) for the 2021 Legislative Forum EDEP courses. The cohort size is limited based on Rutgers adult learning standards.

In-Person Cohort - Space is still available for the In-Person cohort.

• PHAS/SEMAP: Friday, September 10th
  • 8am-4pm at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
• Financial Management: Saturday, September 11th
  • 8am-4pm at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill

Virtual Cohort - The Virtual EDEP cohort is currently full. If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please contact Norma Bellew at: nbellew@phada.org.
The virtual courses will be held via Rutgers' Canvas online learning platform and Zoom.

• PHAS/SEMAP: September 20-24, 2021
  • Monday, Sept. 20th Zoom - 11am-2:30pm EST
  • 1 independent student learning activity during the week
  • Friday, Sept. 24th Zoom - 11am-12pm EST (wrap-up and exam)
• Financial Management: October 13-19, 2021
  • Wednesday, Oct. 13th Zoom - 11am-2:30pm EST
  • 1 independent student learning activity during the week
  • Tuesday, Oct. 19th Zoom - 11am-12pm EST (wrap-up and exam)

EDEP Course Descriptions

• PHAS/SEMAP
  • Faculty: Cara Gillette, Nan McKay
  • This session reviews the theory behind PHAS/SEMAP and provides a detailed explanation of each of the HUD indicators, including how each is measured and graded. The use of PHAS/SEMAP as management tools is discussed, and participants are shown how to improve their authority's scores through a systems approach.
• Financial Management
  • Faculty: Brian Alten, BDO PHA Finance
  • This course offers the executive director a "big picture" approach to fiscal resource management. Participants learn the basics of budget preparation as well as HUD audit requirements. Project-based budgeting is emphasized in order to help executive directors cope with anticipated changes at HUD.

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By registering for this conference, I agree to the following:
I agree to allow PHADA to use my image or voice in photographs, video recordings, or other electronic reproductions of such event or activities.
I grant PHADA permission to share my contact information with exhibitors and sponsors.
There is always inherent risk in participating in any activity. Due to the circumstances created by COVID19, there is a heightened degree of personal risk and responsibility. PHADA and its partners will be taking all legal, prudent and advisable measures to reduce the risk of virus/illness transmission between people at the conference. Despite our best efforts, we will be unable to reduce the level of risk to zero.
1) I acknowledge these risks, and others, and agree to take full personal responsibility for them. I will not hold anyone else accountable, including PHADA and its partners, should I contract illness or should anything else happen to me during my participation in this learning experience.
2) I agree to monitor my own health status and will not attend the conference if I am symptomatic in any way or if I believe I have been exposed to someone with COVID19.
3) I agree to comply with all distancing guidelines and protocols imposed by PHADA or the host hotel regardless of whether federal, state or local laws dictate the use of these practices.