Once a week from now until the Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing (MCOAH) at the end of April, CEDAM will present you with a selection of some of the exciting sessions to look forward to at this year’s conference. In order to attend these sessions, be sure to register for the conference at housingconference.org if you have not already!

Monday, April 26

When Lawmakers “Get It”: Making Community Development Programs a Priority in Lansing (1:15 pm – 2:45 pm)

We all know and believe in the importance of community development. From housing for working families, to revitalizing our communities, to helping people build long-term financial sustainability, our work is vital to our communities. So why aren’t these the priorities for all public officials, especially our State Legislature?! Successful advocacy for our work depends not just on our enthusiasm for what we do or the quality of our programs, but also on how well we communicate with and educate our state senators and state representatives. In this “Basics of Advocacy” session, learn from experts in the field about the reality of political decision making and how you can maximize the attention and support your organization receives through effective advocacy.

Best Practices in Foreclosure Counseling and Outreach (3:15 pm – 4:45 pm)

This session will feature best practices in foreclosure prevention, counseling and outreach from certified, nonprofit foreclosure counseling organizations with a proven record of success. Presenters will cover topics such as running a post-purchase counseling program in urban, suburban, and rural communities; providing examples of successful prevention and outreach efforts; and discussing techniques for organizing and empowering homeowners.