Annual Upstate New York Affordable Housing Conference
The Upstate Blueprint: The Future of Affordable Housing Starts Here
The New York State Association for Affordable Housing is proud to present the Annual Upstate New York State Affordable Housing Conference on September 17, 2026 in Downtown Albany.
The affordable housing landscape is shifting fast - and the stakes have never been higher. Don't miss your chance to hear directly from the leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping what comes next. At this year's conference, top experts will break down the biggest challenges facing our industry and reveal smart, practical strategies for navigating the current crisis while unlocking new opportunities.
From maximizing resources to accelerating the creation and preservation of desperately needed units, this is where New York's affordable housing community comes together to move the sector forward.
Join us, get inspired, and be part of the solutions driving the future of affordable housing
Agenda
Speakers
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee, represents the 67th Assembly district, which includes the Upper West Side and parts of Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan.
Liz Benjamin is a former reporter with more than two decades of experience covering state and New York City government and politics.
Gabriella A. Romero is the Assemblymember for New York State’s 109th Assembly District representing the communities of Albany, New Scotland, and parts of Guilderland.
Sharon F. Owens is the 55th Mayor of the City of Syracuse and was elected to lead the city in 2025.
Mark H. Fuller is the President of DePaul, a private not-for-profit organization founded in 1958 and based in Rochester, New York that builds the foundation for lasting change through compassionate, person-centered services and exceptional housing.
Linda L. Goodman, retired Affordable Housing Executive, volunteer advisor, find me on LinkedIn Linda L. Goodman.
Betsy Brugg, Esq. is a Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman. She assists developers with the zoning and land use approval process, SEQRA, permitting, PILOTs, economic development, and maintains a comprehensive real estate development practice.
Senior Director overseeing policy and communications for Enterprise's New York Market.
Mindy Cervoni is the President and CEO of Community Services for Every1, where she has dedicated over 25 years to advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Dan Clark is the author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter and covers New York government and policy for the Times Union.
Tim is a partner with Flaherty Salmin CPAs in Rochester. He is the Treasurer of NYSAFAH as well as the Treasurer of Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation (IRHP) and Action for a Better Community (ABC)
Ms. Greenberg serves as both the Director of the Bureau of Housing and Support Services, at NYS OTDA, and the President of the Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation (HHAC)
Lisa has 20 years of multifamily development experience, which includes development of mixed-income communities, mixed-use communities, supportive housing, historic preservation, and brownfield redevelopments.
Sean K. Kearney is President of Kearney Realty & Development Group, Inc. and Tern Construction & Development, LLC. A second-generation leader, he has spent nearly 20 years developing 2,000+ homes across New York.
Elevating a pro-housing policy agenda informed by data-driven research and expertise through to create more affordable, sustainable, and equitable communities.
Mr. Levine has developed more than 3,200 residential units since 1989. He is a development partner with Public Housing Authorities throughout New York for RAD conversions, State Public Housing redevelopment, and new construction.
For 50 years, Housing Action Council has been a leader in expanding housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households throughout Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties and other parts of the Hudson Valley Region.
Chris has over 16 years of experience in real estate investment and LIHTC syndication, and has been responsible for the origination and structuring of over $2.2 billion in tax credit investments nationwide.
Lorrie Pizzola oversees NYSAFAH’s policy agenda, leading legislative, budgetary, and regulatory strategies to expand affordable housing across New York State.
Started at Rochester Management, Inc. (RMI) in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, was appointed President & CEO in January of 2024. RMI is a not-for-profit property manager and developer of affordable housing with more than 75 years of experience.
Larry Regan has been developing and owning affordable housing developments in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts for 40 years
Carlina Rivera, President and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), is a deeply rooted community leader with a background in grassroots organizing, nonprofit social justice work, and legislative leadership.
Robin Rubado serves as Director of Housing for CDS Housing, LLC, where she provides strategic leadership in affordable housing development and asset management.
Pennrose is a premier multifamily development company with the expertise to bring development projects together in a way that exemplifies quality while creating value in the short and long term and has a national reputation for development execution.
CARES of NY, Inc. is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities across New York State to prevent and end homelessness.
Raine Schreiner leads CVR's HCV and PBV program engagements for public housing authorities nationwide. A recognized affordable housing leader and HUD Technical Assistance SME, she helps agencies expand housing opportunities and improve performance.
Victor Sostar is Executive Vice President of Originations for Regions Affordable Housing, LLC (“RAH”) responsible for equity and debt production. RAH is a leading affordable housing investment sponsor and an affiliate of Regions Bank.
Lynette Tarrats is Director of Operations for the Albany County Land Bank, where she oversees operations, property management, rehabilitation, and construction activities supporting neighborhood revitalization throughout Albany County.
Deborah VanAmerongen is a Strategic Policy Advisor in Nixon Peabody’s Affordable Housing practice group.
Delia Yarrow has worked in affordable housing for over 24 years. Ten years in New York City at Housing Works and UHAB. The past 14 years at INHS, a leader in affordable housing serving seven counties in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier.
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Exhibitors
Ashley McGraw is an architecture, interior design, and landscape design firm based in Syracuse, New York with offices in Buffalo, NY; Troy, NY; Boston, MA; and Washington DC.
Beardsley Architects + Engineers
Beardsley Architects + Engineers is an award winning, full-service architectural, engineering, and landscape architecture design firm serving residential clients across New York State.
Broadway Builders LLC is a full-service general contractor and construction manager specializing in ground-up new construction, rehabilitation and occupied renovation, as well as commercial and retail tenant fit-outs.
CHW represents clients in transactions involving local, state and federal regulatory and funding agencies, as well as in the syndication of various state and federal tax credits.
Citi Community Capital (CCC) provides a suite of financial products to help affordable housing developers construct, rehabilitate, refinance, and acquire affordable multifamily housing across the country.
Foliot Furniture designs North American-made furniture purpose-built for affordable housing. With durable materials, scalable solutions, and 35 years of expertise, we help projects stay on schedule, on budget, and built for long-term value.
Hamilton Stern Construction brings 15+ years of experience delivering affordable, supportive, emergency, and senior housing, backed by expert project management, responsive service, and consistent execution.
Affordable housing boosts communities. Harris Beach Murtha advises developers, lenders, nonprofits, governments, municipalities and investors on affordable housing and community development projects, guiding financing, approvals, construction completion.
Creating enduring, sustainably designed buildings that enhance the quality of life of their inhabitants & the community.
J.P. Morgan is committed to building vibrant, diverse communities by expanding access to capital, leading by example and delivering comprehensive global banking solutions that support quality of life and economic opportunity.
KOW Building Consultants, founded in 1978, provides construction loan monitoring, property assessment services, environmental site assessments, and sustainability services.
Novogradac is a national professional services organization. The Novogradac organization consists of affiliates and divisions providing professional services that include certified public accounting, valuation and consulting.
SWBR is a multidisciplinary design firm with over 55 years of experience designing affordable multi-family housing projects.
AKRF is an award-winning, 400-employee consulting firm that has contributed to the planning, design, and construction of more than 300 affordable, senior, and supportive housing projects throughout our geographic footprint.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm with over 120 attorneys, has developed a reputation for innovative solutions and professional leadership.
We provide a variety of development, financial consulting, and construction-related services.
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Sponsors
ATTENDEES
A total of 526 people have registered so far. The following 526 have opted to share their information.
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