DAY ONE Registration and "DAY TWO"
This week March 27 - 30Th "The National Low Income Housing Coalition" held it's annual conference in Washington D.C.. The event was well represented by numerous organizations and activists from New York including a huge delegation representing NYCHA City-wide.
The conference itself is getting mixed reviews for everything from the Location, Presentations and Substance.
The conference is being hosted at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, an old classic lady of grandeur from the past. It feels like stepping back into the opulence and luxury of The Titanic. The hotel is huge and chic in the sense of a museum. Some of the only modern conveniences are the flat screen televisions and computers.
The housekeeping, front desk and concierge staff are extremely helpful. Each time I encountered one of them they spoke and offered assistance. The wake up calls were prompt, personal and a live person. The morning paper and beverage arrived promptly as promised.
The opening plenary featured nationally acclaimed and noted Washington Post columnist and author "Michelle Singletary" who ruled the house with her soul stirring and invigorating address "Press on so many will not be Priced Out". The speech directly called us to task and challenged us to stop accepting just anything that is thrown our way but to ask and demand what we need! She had the audience fired up and invigorated like a good Sunday morning sermon as we chanted "NO MORE CRUMBS" NO MORE CRUMBS!
She very eloquently illustrated why we need to "press on and press hard" in our right to fair and equitable Affordable Housing as the constitution promotes the general welfare for all. There are far too many wealthy politicians and power brokers who are arrogantly wealthy and have no clue what it means to need or be poor. They create and promote billions of dollars in Municipal Bonds for ballparks and nothing for the basic right to live in a comfortable dwelling.
She reminded us that the millions of people who are forced into "backpack living" should shame us all that a highly prosperous and industrialized nation refuses to help it's own.
I was so excited and motivated by her words that I forgot everything on the breakfast buffet was COLD. She made cold oatmeal and eggs seem just right.
The remainder of the day had very few highlights. The luncheon was cramped, not handicap accessible and understaffed. The service was horrible and slow. The keynote address by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was interesting and moved the guests to a standing ovation.
The majority of sessions in the Resident Track were uncomfortable, disorganized and rushed. The room that I attended several sessions had an occupancy of maybe 20 but actually had 40 - 50 people crammed in. The first 20 minutes were spent collating and distributing the handouts. They then discovered there were not enough materials for everyone. This turned out to be played out at the next two sessions.
The best session of the day and conference thus far for me, was session #3 "Enforcement". Presenters Catherine Bishop (National Housing Law Project), Eric Crawford (Resident Leader) and Diane Yentel (HUD) really hit it on the nail. Making the absolute best of their presentation and engagement of the participants. The information and materials they shared was current, effective and organized captivating and holding the participants interest in totality. They worked and complimented each other beautifully and timed themselves just right. Participants had ample time to ask questions and receive answers that were sincere and not rushed.
The registration, information and resource area was excellent with a team of resource professionals and services directly related to the conference. Materials provided by the NLIHC at registration were very well prepared and relevant, including the directory of all participants.
The cocktail party in the evening was great. It was more like a working buffet with several carving and specialty stations. It provided an opportunity to engage presenters and network up close and personal.
The conference itself is getting mixed reviews for everything from the Location, Presentations and Substance.
The conference is being hosted at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, an old classic lady of grandeur from the past. It feels like stepping back into the opulence and luxury of The Titanic. The hotel is huge and chic in the sense of a museum. Some of the only modern conveniences are the flat screen televisions and computers.
The housekeeping, front desk and concierge staff are extremely helpful. Each time I encountered one of them they spoke and offered assistance. The wake up calls were prompt, personal and a live person. The morning paper and beverage arrived promptly as promised.The opening plenary featured nationally acclaimed and noted Washington Post columnist and author "Michelle Singletary" who ruled the house with her soul stirring and invigorating address "Press on so many will not be Priced Out". The speech directly called us to task and challenged us to stop accepting just anything that is thrown our way but to ask and demand what we need! She had the audience fired up and invigorated like a good Sunday morning sermon as we chanted "NO MORE CRUMBS" NO MORE CRUMBS!
She very eloquently illustrated why we need to "press on and press hard" in our right to fair and equitable Affordable Housing as the constitution promotes the general welfare for all. There are far too many wealthy politicians and power brokers who are arrogantly wealthy and have no clue what it means to need or be poor. They create and promote billions of dollars in Municipal Bonds for ballparks and nothing for the basic right to live in a comfortable dwelling.She reminded us that the millions of people who are forced into "backpack living" should shame us all that a highly prosperous and industrialized nation refuses to help it's own.
I was so excited and motivated by her words that I forgot everything on the breakfast buffet was COLD. She made cold oatmeal and eggs seem just right.
The remainder of the day had very few highlights. The luncheon was cramped, not handicap accessible and understaffed. The service was horrible and slow. The keynote address by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was interesting and moved the guests to a standing ovation.
The majority of sessions in the Resident Track were uncomfortable, disorganized and rushed. The room that I attended several sessions had an occupancy of maybe 20 but actually had 40 - 50 people crammed in. The first 20 minutes were spent collating and distributing the handouts. They then discovered there were not enough materials for everyone. This turned out to be played out at the next two sessions.The best session of the day and conference thus far for me, was session #3 "Enforcement". Presenters Catherine Bishop (National Housing Law Project), Eric Crawford (Resident Leader) and Diane Yentel (HUD) really hit it on the nail. Making the absolute best of their presentation and engagement of the participants. The information and materials they shared was current, effective and organized captivating and holding the participants interest in totality. They worked and complimented each other beautifully and timed themselves just right. Participants had ample time to ask questions and receive answers that were sincere and not rushed.
The registration, information and resource area was excellent with a team of resource professionals and services directly related to the conference. Materials provided by the NLIHC at registration were very well prepared and relevant, including the directory of all participants.
The cocktail party in the evening was great. It was more like a working buffet with several carving and specialty stations. It provided an opportunity to engage presenters and network up close and personal.
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