Start the conference grounded in purpose and connection. The morning will begin with a moment for reflection and intention, followed by a light breakfast and networking with fellow attendees, speakers, and community leaders. Whether you come to pray, listen, or connect, this optional welcome is an opportunity to center yourself, build relationships, and begin the event with openness and hope.

Leah Evans, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, and Sheldon Johnson, Executive Director of Partners Achieving Community Transformation, will welcome guests and share goals for the day.

Mr. Bowers is vice president and market leader for the Mid-Atlantic and senior advisor, Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative at Enterprise Community Partners. David’s work includes facilitating affordable housing and community development transactions, and policy implementation in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. David leads a team that provides access to financing, capacity building and technical assistance to local developers, and participates with local coalitions advocating for increased resources for affordable housing and community development.

Mr. Bowers will be introduced by the community development team from PNC Bank, a sponsor of today’s event and regional affordable housing and community development leader.

Pull up a chair for a candid conversation with Ohio State Senator Michele Reynolds and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, two influential local policymakers advancing the Yes In God’s Backyard (YIGBY) movement. They will share reflections on how faith communities, local government, and advocates can work together to expand housing opportunity and build more welcoming neighborhoods. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the policy landscape, practical lessons for faith-rooted advocacy, and new connections to help move YIGBY ideas from principle to practice.

What do the numbers really tell us about affordability in our region? Led by Shannon Isom, the Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board, this session grounds the conversation in data, expertise, and local context to clearly define the scale and scope of today’s housing need. Explore key trends shaping the region, including housing supply gaps, affordability pressures, population growth, and disparities in access to stable housing. By unpacking the numbers and the stories behind them, this session shows why coordinated action across sectors is essential to meet the moment ahead.

Faith-based organizations own over 2,400 properties in Franklin County (about six square miles of land!) according to analysis by Putting Assets to Work. But what choices to religious organizations have when using those natural resources to create housing? From sales, to leases, to co-development agreements, this session explores land use agreements and how they’re negotiated. The discussion will highlight real-world examples, common pitfalls, and key questions to ask when these agreements are on the table. Speakers include:

• Curtiss Williams, President and CEO of the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation

• Amy Rosenthal, Vice President, Affordable Housing at National Church Residences.

Faith organizations are often eager to use their gifts to serve the community, but navigating through affordable housing development and financing can feel like a liability without the right legal protections. This session explores how organizations can create Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and other liability containers to engage in the necessary work of housing, without assuming undue risk. Participants will learn how these entities function, why they matter in affordable housing development, and how they can shield congregations from financial, legal, and operational exposure. Speakers include

• John Banks, Vice President and Community Development Officer at PNC Bank

• Jeaneen Hooks, Executive Director at Miracit Development Corporation

• Mike Premo, Executive Director at Church and Community Development for All People.

In December, Trinity Baptist Church and partners broke ground on The Scarborough, a senior housing community on Columbus’ Near East Side. The homes will sit on Trinity’s former parking lot, across from the church on St. Clair Avenue. Pastor Victor Davis will share the story of how this project began, the partnership he formed with National Church Residences, and what guidance he would offer those looking to follow in Trinity’s footsteps.

Pastor Davis will be interviewed by Lark Mallory, Principal of Mallory Economic Development Advisors. Her organization is a sponsor of today’s event and she has long served as legal counselor and financial advisor to the affordable housing community.

The “funding stack” can be the most complex part of creating affordable housing. This session breaks down the core funding tools that make housing development possible, starting with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and expanding to other public, private, and philanthropic sources. Participants will gain a clear view of how loans, grants, vouchers, and tax credits work together to close affordability gaps. Whether you’re new to housing finance or looking to strengthen your fluency, this session equips you with the knowledge to engage more confidently in housing conversations and partnerships. Speakers include:

• Bob Bitzenhofer, Vice President for Planning and Development at Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

• Jon Welty, President of Ohio Capital Finance Corporation

• Brad Carmen, President of TFG Housing Resources

• Erin Prosser, Deputy Director of Housing Strategies at the City of Columbus

• Ian Labitue, President & CEO of the Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus & Franklin County.

In some traditions, denominational leaders can play a unique and powerful role in shaping vision, aligning resources, and empowering local congregations to act in furtherance of affordable housing needs. This session explores how leadership “higher up” the faith structure can influence housing outcomes, often in ways that aren’t immediately visible but are deeply impactful. Leader from the Methodist, Catholic, and Lutheran faiths will share their practices, policies, and practical advice. Through examples and discussion, this session clarifies where denominational leadership fits into the housing ecosystem and how strategic engagement can accelerate, support, and sustain housing solutions on the ground.

Meaningful housing work is rooted in relationships, trust, and shared responsibility. This session focuses on practical strategies for engaging both the broader community and congregational members in ways that are authentic, inclusive, and sustainable.

Participants will explore best practices for communication, volunteer engagement, listening sessions, and partnerships that honor local voices while strengthening congregational ownership of housing initiatives. By centering service and stewardship together, this session offers tools to move from good intentions to lasting impact, helping faith communities show up as thoughtful, responsive neighbors and effective housing partners. Speakers include:

• John Edgar, President of Columbus Housing Enterprise

• Ladon Adams, Director for Department of Maturity

• Karen Mozenter, CEO of Jewish Family Services

The work doesn’t end when construction wraps and the cranes come down. Long-term success in housing depends on strong partnerships that ensure responsible oversight, effective operations, and meaningful supportive services for residents. This session examines what happens after development, highlighting the various service roles that faith groups may fill post-construction, including as service providers, accountability partners, and charitable neighbors. Speakers include:

• Mary Mutegi, Director of COMPASS at Broad Street Presbyterian Church

• Vice President of Housing at Lutheran Social Services

More details coming soon!