2025 Conference Agenda
2025 Keynote Speaker
The Path Forward for Housing
Sarah Brundage, President & CEO of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders (NAAHL) joins SHA this November to review the current landscape and address how we can respond to the need for more housing and affordable development. Attendees will gain insights into the national perspective that affects our work in New Jersey and the dedicated advocacy that goes to support tax credits and funding streams for managing the need for housing. Read more about our guest speaker below.
2025 Welcome Address
Sarah Adelman, Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Human Services
SHA thanks DHS Commissioner Sarah M. Adelman for joining us to present the 2025 Welcome Address.
Read below to learn about this year's workshops!
Session 1: 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
The Power of Partnership: Advancing Supportive Housing Through Innovation and Inclusion
West Foyer Library (1st Floor)
Cross-sector collaboration and enabling technology can help create inclusive, person-centered housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Attendees will learn from a supportive housing pilot program in northern New Jersey in which the service provider and the developer collaborated with the architect during the design phase. Attendees will gain strategies for aligning development and service goals, integrating lived experience into design, and leveraging supportive housing to meet broader affordability objectives. This session offers actionable insights for creating inclusive, tech-enabled housing that prioritizes dignity, choice, and community integration.
Moderator: Adam Kubler, Employment Services Coordinator, New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD)
Presenters:
Susan Nasberg-Abrams, ETIS, CAPS, Life | Home | Tech Program Manager, JSDD
Linda Press, Executive Director, JSDD
Lara Schwager, Founding Principal LJS Consulting and Development
Thomas Witherel, AIA, NCARB, | Vice President of Design & Architecture | BNE Real Estate Group
Delivering Impact by Enhancing Services in Supportive Housing
Salon I (2nd Floor)
Evolving needs in communities are best empowered when responsive innovation delivers high-quality supportive housing services. Join the discussion on the full lifecycle of service planning—from early collaboration with developers during financing to adapting services over time based on residents' evolving needs. Attendees will learn novel approaches on service impacts from state partners, providers and community- based organizations.
Moderator: Brian McShane, Associate Director PA/NJ, CSH Metro Team
Presenters:
Kim Copeland, Director of Social Services, RPM Development
Alexx Kennedy, Vice President of Programs, Triple C Housing
Chris Pugliese, Chief Property Development Officer, Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA)
Ryan Wilson, Vice President of Programs, Triple C Housing
A Practical Guide to Braiding Resources for Supportive Housing
Salon II (2nd Floor)
Successful housing development is built on a stable foundation of planning, collaboration, and access to financial capital. Explore the complexities of financing supportive housing through a guided roadmap detailing obstacles and opportunities in New Jersey. Panelists will share collaboration strategies outlining where to access capital, rental assistance, and services funding from local, state, and federal sources.
Moderator: Cassondra Warney, Senior Program Manager, CSH
Presenters:
Matthew Becker, Senior Affordable Housing Program Analyst, Federal Home Loan Bank New York
Samantha Hennessey, VP of Development, The Alpert Group
Charles Oliver, Founder and Chairman, CO Enterprises
Tom Toronto, President, Bergen County’s United Way
From Insights to Action: Strengthening New Jersey’s Nonprofit Sector Together
Lecture Suite (2nd Floor)
Using insights from Nonprofit Finance Fund’s 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey, this session will examine financial health, workforce well-being, and trends among nonprofit organizations. A panel of SHA leaders from nonprofits and philanthropy will discuss how these findings apply to their work and share strategies for resilience, collaboration, and advocacy. Panelists will share the tools and practical resources that they have found to support planning and strengthening their organizations and communities.
Moderator: Mabel Alvarez, Director Investor Relations, Nonprofit Finance Fund
Presenters:
Jorge Cruz, Executive Director - Local Initiatives Support Corporation, New Jersey (LISC NJ)
Etta R. Denk, Sr. Vice President, Local Markets Organization, Bank of America
Camilo Mendez, CFO, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Jennifer Talansky, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Nonprofit Finance Fund
Vivienne Stewart, MS, LPC, Vice President, Oaks Integrated Care
Session 2: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
From Training to Transformation: Advancing Excellence in Housing Services
West Foyer Library (1st Floor)
Learn about the New Jersey Housing-based Case Management Institute, a statewide training and certification initiative by NJ DCA and Rutgers Institute for Families to strengthen housing stability. Designed using an ecosystem-based participatory research process, the institute brings together providers, government, and individuals with lived experience to shape effective practices. The Institute plans to offer accreditation with a certificate program for Housing Case Managers, Resource Navigators, and Housing Navigators. Conference attendees will gain insight into the development process, curriculum design, and the broader impact of this training on New Jersey’s housing services.
Moderator: Renee Koubiadis, Senior Policy Advisor, Division of Housing and Community Resources, NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Presenters:
Alicia Alvarez, Advocacy Coordinator, Nourish NJ
Rita Mirabelli, Project Director Housing Supports Provider Readiness Program (HSPRP), New Jersey DCA, Office of Homelessness Prevention
Brenda Myrick, Director of Programs and Impact, Bridges Outreach, Inc.
Rebecca Swann-Jackson, PhD, EdM, Associate Research Manager, Institute for Families, Rutgers University School of Social Work
Pathways to Homeownership and Lasting Financial Security
Salon I (2nd Floor)
Financial barriers often impact homeownership and contribute to ongoing housing instability among people with disabilities. Explore innovative financial tools and strategies—such as ABLE accounts, homebuyer programs, trusts and alternative Finance programs—that support stable, accessible housing and long-term asset building. This session offers practical resources and guidance for helping individuals with disabilities, and their families move from housing insecurity to homeownership.
Moderator: Frank Cinque, Senior Director of Asset Management, The Arc of Essex County
Presenters:
Sharon Clark, Executive Director, Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC)
Sofi Cordero, Community Mortgage Officer, Valley Bank
Laurie Schaller, Manager Financial Empowerment, National Disability Institute
Empowered by Experience: Peer and Community Supports Breaking Down Housing Barriers
Salon II (2nd Floor)
Transformative client journeys often start with the experienced support of certified peer support
Moderator: Shelley Samuels, Principal, SRS Strategic Associates
Presenters:
Sheila Farrell, Peer Recovery Specialist, MHANJ Ocean County
Jennifer Gallagher, Assistant Director, MHANJ Ocean County
Jennifer Stivers, Chief Programs Officer, Community Hope
Taylor Thomas, MACJ, MSW, Community Relations Specialist, Housing and FCHA, New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
Turning Policy into Practice: Navigating New UHAC Rules for Supportive Housing Success
Lecture Suite (2nd Floor)
New Jersey’s Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (UHAC) govern the administration of affordable units and affordability controls for many affordable units in the state. With recent amendments, learn from state partners and the developer perspective on how these amendments impact supportive housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and other underserved groups. You’ll gain practical guidance on navigating the new regulations, including unit designation, compliance strategies, and inclusive housing integration. Learn key legal insights, implementation tools, and real-world case studies to empower person-centered supportive housing under the new UHAC framework.
Presenters:
Kathleen Annarelli, Ph.D., Policy Research Coordinator | Executive Division, NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency
Joshua Bauers, Director of Exclusionary Zoning Litigation, Fair Share Housing Center
Stephen Schoch, Principal, Director of Housing, Thriven Design
Session 3: 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Designing Better Supportive Housing with Passive House Principles
West Foyer Library (1st Floor)
What could be better than supported living that is green and saves green at the same time? Industry pros share how Passive House design principles can help the environment, enhance comfort, reduce utility costs, and support resident well-being—even without formal certification. Attendees will learn how these strategies can be adapted to projects of all sizes, locations, and budgets.
Moderator: Pam DeLosSantos, Assistant Director of Technical Services, New Jersey Mortgage and Finance Agency (NJHMFA)
Presenters:
Grayson Jordan, RA, AIA, CPHC, Certified Passive Housing Consultant, Paul A. Castrucci Architects
Frances O’Toole, Chief Development Officer, Coming Home of Middlesex County, Inc.,
Alkesh Taylor, PE, LEED® AP, Principal, Director of Engineering, Thriven Design
Home is Where the Start is; Achieving and Managing Stable Housing
Salon I (2nd Floor)
The path to gaining and keeping stable housing can feel overwhelming and filled with obstacles for many in our state. This workshop unites actionable steps and tools for homeownership with eviction prevention services and advocacy. Together, these perspectives demonstrate how individual efforts and community-based intervention can “break new ground” toward housing stability and success.
Moderator: Asish Patel, COO, Monarch Housing Associates
Presenters:
Desiree Crespo, Founder, Navigating Affordable Housing Solutions
Yaniris Gomez, Senior Clinical Specialist, Newark Community Solutions
Gregory Hargrave, HUD Certified Lead Housing Counselor, Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America
Samantha McManus, Senior Director of Community Wellness, Jewish Family Services of Atlantic & Cape May Counties
Activating Supportive Housing Communities for Change
Salon II (2nd Floor)
Supportive housing communities are uniquely positioned to drive policy change by harnessing the voices of residents and staff. This workshop will explore practical strategies for building advocacy capacity including forming advocacy committees, developing policy platforms, and engaging elected officials. Participants will learn how organizations can mobilize communities through trainings, newsletters, and direct actions. Attendees will leave with tools and templates to activate their own communities and turn lived experience into policy influence for housing needs.
Moderator: Barbara Coppens, Advocate Assistant, Disability Rights New Jersey
Presenters:
Matthew Binder, Director, State Government Relations, Easterseals
Taysha Clark-Reid, Public Policy Director, New Jersey, Volunteers of America - Greater New York
Janey Kazazian, LCSW / Director, Behavioral Health Services, Volunteers of America - Greater New York
It Takes a Village; How Housing Services Can Change Lives
Lecture Suite (2nd Floor)
The Housing Supports Program, an expansion of Medicaid in New Jersey, is designed to promote housing stability across New Jersey empowering finding and sustaining tenancy. Attendees will learn about provider eligibility, funding, and the referral process, that can help tenants remain housed while also benefiting landlords and developers. A roundtable including SHA members and state partners will share real-world success stories and innovative uses of the program to inform providers, landlords, developers, and tenant advocates of this vital service.
Moderator: Krystal Odell, CEO, PennReach
Presenters:
Christina Cullen, LCSW, Manager, Transitions/Housing, Fidelis Care
Lisa Domatz, Sr. Director, Population Health Strategy, Fidelis Care
Ebony Franklin, HCBS Provider Relations Advocate, UnitedHealth Group
Tristan Gibson, Program Manager, NJ Dept. of Human Services, Medicaid
Lauren Jacobs, Lauren Jacobs MSW, LSW, Director, Medicaid Housing Program, Horizon
Allison Keyes, LCSW, COO, PennReach