NEWBURGH — The Hudson Valley’s urban centers face a range of challenges. Some are seeing a wave of new housing development that is creating new housing units but driving up rents and displacing long-time residents. Others are still struggling to overcome the legacy of years of blight and disinvestment and find new uses for vacant and abandoned properties. How can urban areas spur development and create a mix of housing options for residents of all income levels?

To answer that question Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress has assembled a group of nationally recognized leaders in the field of community development who will headline a half-day forum on September 14. “Housing in Urban Centers: What It All Means,” will be held at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the forum, these leaders will discuss tools, examples, and methods of successful urban revitalization strategies that can be utilized in small cities.

“This forum will provide valuable insights from speakers who have dedicated their careers to this critical issue, and will equip attendees with action-driven, cutting-edge solutions,” said Joe Czajka, the Director of Pattern’s Center for Housing Solutions and Urban Initiatives. At the forum, Czajka will provide an overview of the state of housing in the Hudson Valley.

The robust panel of speakers will provide presentations on key topics that frame the national discussion on housing:

  • Jonathan Rose, president, Jonathan Rose Companies and author of “The Well-Tempered City.” He will discuss creating housing opportunity in 21st century by blending green building, transit-oriented development, mixed uses and mixed-income development approaches.
  • A panel of experts from NeighborWorks America will discuss urban revitalization and gentrification: Joan Straussman Brandon, northeast regional vice president; Paul Singh, director of community stabilization; and Lynn Peterson, senior relationship manager.
  • Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, will provide a national perspective on housing trends and the impact on population segments sometimes left behind amid housing growth.
  • Tiffany Manuel, vice president of Enterprise Community Partners, will discuss “Opportunity 360” and how to gauge how dollars invested in housing create better opportunities for residents in low-income neighborhoods.

Pattern’s Regional Housing Award for Excellence will be presented to Kevin O’Connor, CEO of RUPCO, Inc., a Kingston-based nonprofit that advocates for quality, affordable housing and community development.

“Inspiring housing innovators are creating opportunity throughout the Hudson Valley. To be recognized as one of those change agents with Pattern’s Regional Housing Award for Excellence is both an honor and a call to action to do even more,” said O’Connor.

For more details about the speakers and the topics covered in the forum, please see Pattern’s Conference Overview report at: https://www.pattern-for-progress.org/what-we-do/current-issues-research-agenda/housing/

Anthony’s Pier 9 is at 2975 Route 9W in New Windsor. Registration is $75 for Pattern members; $85 for non-members; and $55 for elected and appointed officials and employees of local governments. The fee for communities and officials within Pattern’s Urban Action Agenda is $50. Register at Pattern-For-Progress.org or call (845) 565-4900.

Pattern thanks its investors: MJJ Builders, Community Preservation Corp., Covington Development, Jacobowitz & Gubits, Rand Realty, Kearney Group, PathStone, RUPCO and Wilder Balter Partners. Pattern also thanks its event sponsors: Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, New Hope Community, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Anheuser-Busch Companies, The Mohonk Preserve, NeighborWorks America, New York Metro Chapter-APA, and Westchester Medical Center. To join our investors or sponsors, call (845) 565-4900.

Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress is  policy, planning, advocacy and research nonprofit that has promoted regional, balanced and sustainable solutions for the Hudson River Valley since 1965. Visit Pattern-For-Progress.org. Follow us on Twitter at @HVPattern. Like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn.