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2025 Tampa Bay Regional Affordable Housing Forum

The Housing Leadership Council of Tampa Bay (HLCTB) is gearing up to host the highly anticipated 2025 Tampa Bay Regional Affordable Housing Forum on June 3, 2025. This vital event will take place from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Centre Club in Tampa, Florida. The forum aims to unite key stakeholders, including housing developers, policymakers, financial experts, and community leaders, as they collaborate on addressing the critical issue of housing affordability in the region.

Event Details

Attendees can look forward to a day full of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. The event will kick off with opening remarks from Kimberly Overman, the founder of the Housing Leadership Council. Following her address, Shannon Kalahar from the Tampa Bay Partnership will present an impactful regional housing study called Beyond the Front Door, highlighting the current state of housing in Tampa Bay.

The keynote address for the forum will be delivered by Leroy Moore, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Housing Authority and Secretary of the Florida Housing Coalition. His insights are expected to set the tone for tackling the pressing challenges in affordable housing.

Panel Discussions

The forum will feature several panels focusing on different aspects of housing affordability:

Panel 1: Current Housing Challenges and Opportunities

This session will delve into the existing hurdles within the housing market. Moderated by Tori Boyd of Signature Property Development, expert panelists including Chris Savino (Archway Partners), Dan Coakley (PMG), Shawn Wilson (Blue Sky Communities), and George Romagnoli (Neighborhood Lending Partners) will discuss the scarcity of developable land and the impact of funding cycles on housing projects.

Panel 2: Homeownership Challenges

Led by Chaikirah Parker of TLC Sunshine Financial, this panel aims to address barriers to homeownership, especially in underserved communities. Panelists like Sylvia Alvarez (Housing Education Alliance) and Aidza Antonio Thomas (Solita's House) will outline strategies for making homeownership more accessible despite financial and systemic challenges.

Panel 3: Innovative Housing Solutions

Focusing on creativity and innovation in housing, this panel, moderated by Layla Hayavi of North Tampa Housing Development Corporation, will showcase unique solutions such as prefab construction and tiny homes. Participants include Ernest Coney Jr., Milton Pratt Jr., David Iloanya, and Maggie Rogers who will share insights about employer-sponsored housing and faith-based development initiatives.

Networking and Collaboration

The afternoon segment will comprise collaborative workgroups led by Dayna Lazarus from the Florida Housing Coalition, providing attendees with an opportunity to brainstorm innovative solutions and strategies for improving housing accessibility. The day will conclude with closing remarks by Kimberly Overman, followed by a networking reception for all participants.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Organizations dedicated to promoting housing equity can explore premium and business partnership opportunities during the forum.

About HLCTB

Founded in 2023, the Housing Leadership Council of Tampa Bay is a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the availability of affordable and workforce housing for people across all income levels in the Tampa Bay region. The upcoming forum is one of its key initiatives aimed at forging partnerships and driving solutions in addressing housing challenges.

By attending this forum, stakeholders will engage in meaningful discussions and create actionable strategies to combat the affordability crisis affecting Tampa Bay.

For more information and to register for the event, visit the HLCTB events page.