FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2008

 Michigan Conference On Affordable Housing Hits Milestone
10th Anniversary- Celebrates with Jeff Daniels

LANSING, MI (April 18, 2008) - The 10th Annual Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing will take place April 28, 29 and 30 at the Lansing Center. Attendees continue to support this conference in a big way, making it the largest of its kind in the country. 

This year the conference meets a significant 10-year anniversary milestone with great excitement and fanfare – Hollywood actor and Michigan supporter, Jeff Daniels is set to close the conference on Wednesday April 30th with a one-man concert.   In addition, building on the success of last year, the affordable housing industry, community development and homeless advocates will be gathering that same day on the Capitol Lawn for Advocacy Day-Lunch on the Lawn.  “We expect to formally acknowledge our legislators for their actions last year to create a budget line item for the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund,” said Living In Michigan Coalition chairperson, Ken Bensen of Habitat for Humanity Michigan.  “Our coalition members will be taking this opportunity to Eat and Greet with their own legislators to reinforce the importance of keeping the fund growing.  We expect to hear from Senators Mark Jansen and Martha Scott as well as Representatives Steve Tobocman and John Proos and to come away with a new resolve to be part of Michigan’s economic recovery.

Other improvements to the conference have been made to be sure that it continues to meet higher and higher standards of excellence.  “There was a significant commitment to calling for the highest quality content from presenters this year,” said Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Conference Coordinator, Jess Sobel. “We are also pleased to announce that among the six educational tracks at the conference there are 50 approved sessions that meet the criteria for continuing education credits by the National Association of Social Workers. Those interested in specifics can go to: www.housingconference.org  Visitors will see a complete listing of session offerings and can register online. 

This year the conference kicks off with a welcome from the recently appointed Interim Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Keith Molin, and a keynote address from popular author on topics that include faith and politics, Jim Wallis. Details and biographical sketches on both Molin and Wallis follow this document.

Also being introduced at the conference this year is the first Benchmark Report on The State of Homelessness in Michigan. This report is the first full year annual report that delivers important data on the progress of The Campaign to End Homelessness and statewide 10-year Plan to End Homelessness.  Michigan has received national recognition for its Campaign To End Homelessness which includes a comprehensive statewide plan that crosses over several governmental agencies and has local implementation covering all 83 counties through 60 regional plans.  To learn more about The Campaign to End Homelessness in Michigan, go to www.thecampaigntoendhomelessness.org.

The Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing is a collective effort of an industry that includes 36 partner organizations that meet throughout the year to plan this first class event. 
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