Join housing leaders, stakeholders, and community members from across the region at the West Michigan Housing Summit for a dynamic, solutions-focused conference centered on innovative strategies for addressing housing challenges.
This summit brings together cross-sector voices committed to moving beyond conversation and toward coordinated action on the region’s most pressing housing challenges.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A dynamic opening session from Sam Cummings and Ryan Kilpatrick, reflecting on where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed together as a region.
Six targeted breakout sessions addressing critical housing issues, including:
- A legislative panel featuring leaders in housing reforms.
- Strategies for effective public engagement around housing and growth
- Corridor development and place-based investment to drive vibrancy
- Pathways and tools for emerging developers
- The limitations of subsidy-only approaches to housing affordability
- Effective, coordinated responses to homelessness
Closing with Energy
Coby Lefkowitz will tie together insights from the day and challenge attendees to think boldly optimistic about the future of housing through coordinated, cross-sector solutions.
Coby is the author of Building Optimism: What a World that Looks Better, Works Better, and Feels Better Could Look Like where he explores how we can create more beautiful and livable communities.
Donor and sponsor support makes this convening possible and positions partners at the center of regional housing leadership. Sponsors gain visibility with key decision-makers, align their brand with measurable community impact, and help catalyze the ideas and collaborations that move housing solutions forward.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This summit is for leaders and changemakers committed to improving housing outcomes, including:
- Housing practitioners and advocates
- Government and public sector leaders
- Developers and real estate professionals
- Emerging developers and entrepreneurs
- Nonprofit and community-based leaders
- Philanthropic and funding partners
- Policy and civic engagement professionals
- Anyone invested in housing affordability, availability, and stability
If you’re working to shape the future of housing in West Michigan, this summit is for you.
12:30 p.m. Registration and Networking
1:00 p.m. Opening Remarks and Introduction
Jennifer Radaz, Housing Next
Ryan Kilpatrick, Flywheel Community Development Services
Sam Cummings, CWD Real Estate Investment
1:40 p.m. Transition + Networking Break
1:55 p.m. Breakout Sessions
State Legislative Panel
State Representatives Wooden, Grant and Aragona
Moderated by Joshua Lunger, Grand Rapids Chamber
Public Engagement
Jason Wheeler, Wheeler Development
Ryan Schmidt, Indigo
Rowan Brady, City of Grand Rapids
Moderated by Rebekah Kik, City of Kalamazoo
Corridor Redevelopment
Cameron VanWyngarden, Plainfield Township
Nicole Hofert, City of Wyoming
Moderated by Ryan Kilpatrick, Flywheel Community Development Services
2:40 p.m. Transition + Networking Break
2:55 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Affordability Won’t Be Solved by Subsidy Alone
Dave Levitt, Third Coast
Bev Thiel, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County
Moderated by Ryan Kilpatrick, Flywheel Community Development Services
Effective Response to Homelessness
Thelma Ensink, Degagé Ministries
Adrienne Goodstal, North Kent Connect
Tenisa Frye, Family Promise of West Michigan
4:00 p.m. Keynote
Coby Lefkowitz, author of “Building Optimism: What a World that Looks Better, Works Better, and Feels Better Could Look Like”
5:00 p.m. Happy Hour
6:00 p.m. Adjourn
Meet our speakers
Event Sponsors
Premier Sponsor
Housing Champions
Interested in sponsoring this event? Please contact Yadira Garza to learn more.