February 2009

• 27th

  New Jersey Future Redevelopment Forum 2009

  Hyatt Hotel & Conference Center

  The fourth annual Redevelopment Forum will be held at the Hyatt Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick on February 27, 2009. Last year’s event attracted 600+ attendees and this event is considered to match that level, and is regarded as a “must-attend” by many planners, architects, developers, lawyers and the general public, thanks in part to the wealth of information shared in our series of workshops.

  The forum is composed of 22 concurrent workshops, focusing on a wide range of issues related to redevelopment. Keynote address will be offered by Robert Liberty, of the Portland, Ore. Metro Council.

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• 12th

  National Conference On Ending Family Homelessness

  Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

  For the first time since the rise of homelessness more than 25 years ago, communities have been able to articulate a detailed, practical strategy for ending homelessness among families with children; a strategy that works.

  Leading communities are using proven program models and systemic reforms to save children and their parents from homelessness. These communities are rapidly moving families from shelters and the streets back into housing, finding families who are about to lose their housing and heading off the crisis, and targeting the most intensive interventions where they are most critically needed.

  And these communities have achieved results: in those that have concentrated on getting programs right and have made the tough decision to focus on solutions, the number of families that bear the trauma and pain of homelessness has declined.

  Todays economy makes the path toward ending homelessness steeper. With rising unemployment and housing problems caused by foreclosures, some communities are finding more families falling into homelessness. This challenges the homelessness system to be more effective, while stressing the importance of larger efforts to improve incomes and make housing more affordable.

  At the same time, there are significant opportunities. In a season of political change, new leaders will be looking for meaningful and practical new undertakings. Recent events have highlighted the importance of housing affordability and significant new resources will most certainly be invested in housing over the next few years. Further, the critical role the public sector must play in creating a workable housing system in the nation has been underscored. Finally, people working on homelessness have developed an impressive track record that is becoming better known. And all of this is taking place in an environment that is open to improvement and change to increase effectiveness and achieve goals.

  Amid these trends and counter-trends, the National Alliance to End Homelessness is holding its fifth national conference aimed specifically at ending homelessness among families with children: Making Progress in a Time of Challenge.We are looking for ways to work together, cross borders, and make progress. We hope you will join us in San Diego on February 12-13, 2009 to learn about the most effective practices and to share what is happening in your community, so that together we can put an end to family homelessness.

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