Hagerty Consulting (Hagerty) is a full-service emergency management and grants management firm. For over two decades, we have helped clients navigate complex disasters and secure over $95 billion in federal funding.
Our expertise enables states and communities to effectively access, manage, and maximize federal, state, and other resources to support recovery and resilience.
We help communities meet their development goals and prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. We bring deep regulatory and implementation expertise to accelerate a whole community’s recovery while streamlining HUD compliance every step of the way.
For 40 years, IEM has been the trusted partner for communities nationwide. We deliver innovating housing, community and economic development, and disaster recovery solutions that revitalize neighborhoods, strengthen resilience, and drive lasting growth. Our nationally recognized experts turn vision into results.
Tetra Tech provides CDBG and CDBG-DR solutions to achieve rapid recovery and long-term resiliency. Our team has 25 years of experience with post-disaster response, works on 110,000 projects annually in 550 offices worldwide. We are proud to support COSCDA and our work to build vibrant, resilient communities.
Are you aiming to boost the success of your federally funded initiatives? With a track record of excellence in implementing and managing HUD, FEMA, Treasury, and other federal agency programs, CohnReznick is your trusted advisor. Let us accelerate your journey to improved outcomes.
Large programs have complex requirements to navigate. Make experienced strategic advisors part of the solution. EisnerAmper provides a full scope of services to grantees, including those funded for federal relief to recover from significant declared disasters (CDBG-DR, FEMA PA/IA, ARPA, Cares) and large federally funded infrastructure, housing, and energy programs (IIJA, IRA, EPA, etc.).
KW Consultants offers its clients customized support in all aspects of the Community Development Block Grant Programs (CDBG/CDBG-DR/CDBG-CV) and other initiatives. Whether a client is seeking an objective analysis of existing programs, assistance in developing and implementing new programs, or training staff and local governments on statutory and regulatory requirements, KW Consultants has a solution to meet their needs.
Our IDIS Module + HUD Sync can help you:
Managing grants can be demanding – let ZoomGrants do the heavy lifting. ZoomGrants software builds collaborative relationships in communities by reducing workloads for grant makers while also simplifying the grant process for applicants and reviewers.
Coffee and tea service provided.
Early registration concludes at 5pm at the start of the Board of Directors Meeting.
Open to all conference attendees.
Due to high temperatures, the welcome reception has moved from the roof top to the Emerald Ballroom – located directly behind the registration desk on the 2nd floor.
All conference attendees are invited to a welcome reception and first time attendee acknowledgement.
Please enjoy dinner on your own in Springfield.
Meet with COSCDA members from your region to discuss organizational issues and initiatives and share information about regional developments.
Western Region States: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
Meet with COSCDA members from your region to discuss organizational issues and initiatives and share information about regional developments.
Midwest Region States: IL, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, OK, WI
Meet with COSCDA members from your region to discuss organizational issues and initiatives and share information about regional developments.
Southern Region States: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Meet with COSCDA members from your region to discuss organizational issues and initiatives and share information about regional developments.
Eastern Region States: CT, DC, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
Welcome and Keynote Address
WELCOMING REMARKS: Cameron Joost, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
SPEAKER: Dr. Richard Funderburg, Professor, University of Illinois, Springfield
With a background in urban and community development, Professor Funderburg will highlight the current economic and policy trends impacting community economic development, housing, and homelessness throughout the United States and illuminate the major threats and opportunities confronting nonmetropolitan communities. He draws on over 30 years of expertise in community economic development policy, including research on labor and land markets, economic impacts, environmental impacts, state and local government finances, infrastructure, energy, and housing.
MODERATOR: Alison George, COSCDA President and Housing Director, Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Alison will also provide remarks related to COSCDA business and voting to take place later in the conference.
Illinois Program Presentation
Key Illinois staff will provide an overview and highlights of how the state administers HUD’s formula programs. The presentation will focus on the state’s distribution process and primary uses of these federal funds.
SPEAKER: Wendy Bell, Deputy Director, Office of Community Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
SPEAKER: Burton Hughes, Consolidated Planning Manager, Strategic Planning and Reporting, Illinois Housing Development Authority
SPEAKER: Josalyn Smith, Emergency Solutions Grant Program Manager, Office of Housing Stability, Illinois Department of Human Services
MODERATOR: Alison George, COSCDA President and Housing Director, Colorado Department of Local Affairs
The HUD Deputy Regional Administrator will provide brief remarks to COSCDA membership.
SPEAKER: Kimberly T. Danna, Deputy Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Region V – Great Lakes Region
MODERATOR: Jenna Hampton, Director of Advocacy and Federal Programs, COSCDA
This session will feature a panel providing several perspectives on how to manage HUD programs without sufficient guidance on how to implement new Executive Orders and administrative actions.
SPEAKER: Marion McFadden, VP for Disaster Recovery, IEM (former HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning & Development)
SPEAKER: Stan Gimont, Senior Advisor for Community Recovery, Hagerty Consulting
SPEAKER: Dr. Jackie Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Springfield Housing Authority
MODERATOR: Jenna Hampton, Director of Advocacy & Federal Programs, COSCDA
Innovative & Best Practice Projects
COSCDA members will share information about the projects they are proud of. These creative CDBG projects may have taken new or innovative approaches to assist a community. These projects also may have significant impacts in serving a difficult to reach population or area, leveraged significant funds, or met critical needs. The presenters will also describe how their agency worked with applicants to overcome challenges such as eligibility and fundability.
SPEAKER: Keely McMahan, CDBG Program Administrator, South Carolina Department of Commerce
SPEAKER: Stefanie Smith Derwort, Grant Manager, South Carolina Department of Commerce
SPEAKER: Suzanne Barnard, COSCDA Board Member and Director for CDBG Programs, Texas Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Affairs
SPEAKER: Tonya Joy, Neighborhood Development Division Director, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
MODERATOR: Kent Archer, COSCDA Board Member and Director of Community Infrastructure, Community and Rural Development, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
New Frontier of Artificial Intelligence & Housing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly expanding tool across may sectors of the economy, including the housing industry. This session will outline the opportunities to deploy AI for administrative tasks, underwriting, data analysis & use, and decision making. State agencies and private sector representatives will present their experience in using AI.
SPEAKER: Greg Blake, Chief Information Officer, Idaho Housing and Finance Association (virtual presenter)
SPEAKER: Leah Larson, Senior Director, Strategic Growth & Partnerships, Neighborly Software
SPEAKER: Michael Akinwumi, Chief AI Officer & Rita Allen Fellow, National Fair Housing Alliance
MODERATOR: Ariel Cisneros, Associate Director, Office of Housing Finance and Sustainability, Housing Division, Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Learning Collaboration with the Health Care System & Providers
This session will have presentations from states and organizations that have developed effective partnerships to serve people experiencing homelessness. The needs for both housing and health care are interdependent and the two systems are learning to collaborate. The session will focus on providing guidance and advice on how to initiate the collaboration in other areas.
SPEAKER: Julie Nelson, Illinois Director, Corporation for Supportive Housing
SPEAKER: Diana Berube, Housing Specialist, Connecticut Department of Housing
SPEAKER: Christine Haley, Chief Homelessness Officer, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
MODERATOR: Mollie Kaylor, Director of Housing and Community Development, New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority
Data-Related Decision-Making in Program Design
States have different approaches in application selection for infrastructure, multifamily housing, and workforce projects. Quantitative data can be used in many different ways, and other qualitative factors often weigh in too. COSCDA members will share their experience and the criteria used to select the best applications for disaster recovery funding.
SPEAKER: Heather Lagrone, COSCDA Board Member and Senior Deputy Director, Community Development & Revitalization Department, Texas General Land Office
SPEAKER: Kathleen Tremblay, Program Director, CDBG-Disaster Recovery, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
SPEAKER: Patrice Clemons, CDBG-DR Branch Chief, Division of Federal Financial Assistance, California Department of Housing and Community Development
SPEAKER: Travis Weber, Branch Manager for Housing and Community Projects, Office of the Governor, Kentucky Department for Local Government
MODERATOR: Chuck Bearman, Director, Community Incentives, Mississippi Development Authority
Transportation will be provided to allow attendees to tour the following locations:
Hear presentations that showcase exemplary projects from across Illinois! Speakers will share successful strategies and outcomes in community development, housing, homelessness, and disaster recovery.
SPEAKER: Fredi Beth Schmutte, Owner, Schmutte & Associates
SPEAKER: Josh Sabo, Heartland HOUSED
SPEAKER: Debbie Feeback, COSCDA Board Member and Chief Development Officer, Community Development Block Grant, Missouri Department of Economic Development
SPEAKER: Conora Shaw, Consolidated Plan Manager, Illinois Housing Development Authority
MODERATOR: Wendy Bell, Deputy Director, Office of Community Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Using CDBG for Economic Development: Helping Businesses Overcome Compliance Hurdles
Some states have significant experience in using CDBG for economic development activities. In this session, those states will provide guidance and advice on how to structure economic development projects to meet CDBG requirements, and how to work with businesses to assure compliance. The session presentations will also highlight how to solicit potential projects.
SPEAKER: Jean Noble, Director, Grants Division, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
SPEAKER: Greg West, Director, Federal Programs, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
SPEAKER: Deborah Johnson, COSCDA Board Member and Director Office of Community Development, Maine Department of Economic & Community Development
MODERATOR: Kimberly Carter, COSCDA Board Member and Division Director, Community Finance Division, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
HOME-ARP: Managing Capitalized Operating Reserves
This session will provide an overview of how the operating reserves can be managed to assure long-term affordability and viability of a HOME-ARP assisted project. This session will include the guidance from both a technical assistance provider and information based on the experience of COSCDA members
SPEAKER: Jennifer Miller, Senior Manager, ICF
SPEAKER: Naomi Cantu, HOME American Rescue Plan Director, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
MODERATOR/SPEAKER: Curtis Stauffer, Managing Director-Housing Contract Administration, Kentucky Housing Corporation
Leveraging Homeless Preferences to Expand Housing Options
Some states have incorporated preferences for persons who are homeless in their scoring for HOME & LIHTC application selection. The scoring helps expand the housing opportunities for the homeless. There are also examples of states that have worked with private housing managers to reserve units for formerly homeless families and individuals. This session will highlight these examples.
SPEAKER: Dawn Bartha, Manager of Housing Services, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
SPEAKER: Anne Nicholls, Federal Housing Loan and Grant Closing Branch Chief, California Department of Housing and Community Development
SPEAKER: Michael Naberhuis, Financial Analyst, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
SPEAKER: Nick Dodson, Helping Hands of Springfield
MODERATOR: Rosemary Luckett, Project Specialist, Kentucky Housing Corporation
Implementing Universal Notice & New Requirements
HUD’s Universal Notice for CDBG-Disaster Recovery imposed new requirements. Additionally, recent grant agreements have imposed some new requirements. This session will provide a roundtable discussion for how states are implementing the Universal Notice and new requirements imposed in grant agreements.
FACILITATOR: Stan Gimont, Senior Advisor for Community Recovery, Hagerty Consulting, Inc
MODERATOR: Gina Campo, Executive Director, Louisiana Office of Community Development
Join us to celebrate this year’s COSCDA Annual Award winners at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, IL.
Lincoln Library: 326 S. 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62701
Learn the details about the award-winning projects that will be announced at the President’s Reception on Tuesday evening. These creative projects will provide ideas for how they can be replicated in other states.
MODERATOR: Kayla Savage, COSCDA Board Member and Director, Community Development Division, Kansas Department of Commerce
Whole Home Performance: New Approach to Housing Rehab
HUD’s Whole Home Performance (WHP) Technical Assistance demonstrates how to integrate CDBG basic home repairs with energy retrofits using Weatherization Assistance Program, HEAR rebates, and other funds. This initiative is supporting five local-state partnerships to develop “Program in a Box” tools to streamline production, compliance, and contractor engagement. WHP introduces a new subsidy model and is providing guidebooks, templates, and webinars. The presentation will include HUD’s TA provider and a state agency.
SPEAKER: Jeremey Newberg, CEO, Capital Access, Inc.
SPEAKER: Tonya Joy, Neighborhood Development Division Director, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
MODERATOR: Debbie Feeback, Chief Development Officer, Community Development Block Grant, Missouri Department of Economic Development
HOME-ARP: Administering a Tenant Selection Plan
This session will provide an overview of how housing project managers can use a tenant selection plan with preferences that meet HOME-ARP requirements. This session will include the guidance from both a technical assistance provider and information based on the experience of COSCDA members.
SPEAKER: Stephanie Carl, Lead Community Development Specialist, ICF
SPEAKER: Ilona Nagy, HOME-ARP Manager, Georgia Department of Community Affairs (virtual presenter)
SPEAKER: Jodie Key, HOME-ARP Specialist, Georgia Department of Community Affairs (virtual presenter)
MODERATOR: Heather Goodwin, Program Manager, Business Operations, Multifamily Housing Division, New Hampshire Housing
Assessing Performance of CoC Members
Continuums of Care (CoCs) have a responsibility to ensure that funded projects are not only compliant with grant requirements but also advancing broader system goals to end homelessness. These include system performance measures and other CoC-specific initiatives. These activities go beyond the housing activities and monitoring for contract compliance. Some CoCs assess this performance as they review and consider funding renewals and new applications. Some states do pair this work with monitoring, but it can use tools, performance benchmarking, and continuous improvement to advance system goals. This session will include presentations on how CoCs assess that broader performance of their membership.
SPEAKER: Joseph Tielke, Continuum of Care Administrator, South Dakota Housing and Development Authority
SPEAKER: Margay Witzdam, Program Specialist, Utah Office of Homeless Services
SPEAKER: Julia Zafferano, Director, Office of Homeless Initiatives, Division of Housing, Colorado Department of Local Affairs
SPEAKER: Curtis Stauffer, Managing Director-Housing Contract Administration, Kentucky Housing Corporation
MODERATOR: Tricia Davis Winter, COSCDA Board Member and Director, Housing and Community Development, Utah Department of Workforce Services
Accurate Reporting and Management of DRGR
Accurate data is critical to show the effectiveness and results of HUD funding. This session will provide guidance and information on how states manage their data collection and its use in the DRGR system. The presenters for this session include both COSCDA members and a technical assistance provider.
SPEAKER: Jane Brogan, Director, CohnResnick
SPEAKER: Kimberly Armstrong, Compliance Analyst, Oregon Housing and Community Services
SPEAKER: Yohhana Goode, Chief Finance Manager, Community Incentive Division, Mississippi Development Authority
MODERATOR: Alexandra Gamble, Deputy Director, Regulatory Policy, Texas General Land Office
Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) is a national organization that provides a comprehensive range of services to assist families and communities. This presentation will give an overview of USI, highlighting its work to promote best practices for housing stability. That work connects to health and wellness efforts, community engagement, and community partnerships. Ms. Murphy-Watson will share examples of how USI provides technical assistance and data-driven solutions that support long-term strategies for community improvement.
SPEAKER: Timetria Murphy-Watson, Regional Vice President, Urban Strategies, Inc.
MODERATOR: Tess Hembree, Executive Director, COSCDA
MODERATOR / PRESENTER: Jenna Hampton, Director of Advocacy and Federal Programs, COSCDA
Jenna will provide an update on legislative activity in Congress as well as regulatory and administrative actions by HUD.
SPEAKER: Tess Hembree, Executive Director, COSCDA
Tess will provide remarks to update COSCDA members about the organization’s activities and opportunities to impact legislative and administrative actions in DC.
SPEAKER: Nichele Carver, Principal Consultant, NJC Strategic Planning and Consulting, LLC
Featuring Nichele Carver, this session will also review and discuss the recent executive order on homelessness and considerations on how to address those needs.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for members to discuss organizational issues and provide input to the COSCDA Board of Directors. Officers and Board members will be elected. Conference attendees will receive an update on the 2026 Annual Conference by the State of Tennessee. The COSCDA representative from each state must be in attendance to cast their vote.
MODERATOR: Rebecca Frawley Wachtel, COSCDA Board Member and Tax Credit and HOME Program Director, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
COSCDA represents the leadership role of the states as the premier voice of authority to Congress, federal and state agencies in advocating and promoting community development and affordable housing, eliminating homelessness and in providing technical assistance and increasing collaboration among state partners.
Advocate for the common community development goals of the states;
Develop policies and recommendations on community development issues;
Keep members informed on federal and state legislative and administrative developments that affect them;
Enhance the capacity of states to deal effectively and comprehensively with community development issues;
Ensure the availability of community development expertise to members;
Encourage and assist states in the development and implementation of effective community development programs; and
Facilitate the exchange of information about programs and achievements among states