The state's premier housing services conference offers 34 professional development sessions

More than 400 housing professionals expected to attend continuing education event in Scranton

News provided by

May 21, 2014, 12:40 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's 2014 Housing Services Conference, held for the first time in Scranton, offers two-and-a-half days of educational sessions and multiple keynote speakers aimed at advancing the professional development of people working in Pennsylvania's housing services field. The event is set for June 18-20 at the Scranton Hilton and Conference Center.

The term "housing services" pertains to the vast array of providers who help support seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families with programs so they can live independently. The housing services field includes such people as service coordinators, property managers, representatives with community based organizations, and others involved with housing. PHFA developed this annual conference to encourage continuing education opportunities for housing services professionals in the state.

"As our population ages in Pennsylvania, there's going to be increasing demand for the assistance provided by housing services professionals so that people can avoid institutional housing and, instead, continue to pursue productive, independent lives," said Brian A. Hudson Sr., PHFA's executive director and CEO.

"We encourage people in the state's housing services field to attend this conference. It provides a chance to learn about the latest trends in the profession and to be exposed to new ideas they can immediately put to good use."

This year's conference plays off Scranton's well-known identity as the Electric City with the theme: "Watts Up: Energize Lives, Recharge Spirits, Generate Community." The conference will provide 34 educational sessions, three keynote speakers, and a special evening networking event for encouraging information sharing by conference attendees.

A popular regular feature of the conference is the best practices showcase. The showcase encourages attendees to present innovative solutions for better connecting housing services providers with their communities. A new feature called "Watt's Cooking in PA" seeks to engage residents, property managers, service coordinators, and service professionals by having them share their favorite healthy recipes. A cookbook of these recipes will be printed and then provided to conference attendees.

For more information about the conference's educational sessions and costs, and to register, please visit the conference website at www.PHFA.org/hsc. Information also is available by contacting PHFA's Housing Services Department at 717.780.4353 or [email protected]. The last day to register is May 30. However, late registrations may be permitted if space allows.

About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated nearly $11.6 billion of funding for more than 155,690 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 122,590 rental units, and saved the homes of more than 47,380 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

Contact: Scott Elliott
717-780-3916 (office)
717-649-6522 (cell)
[email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency