Enterprise Community Partners hosted two days of conversation about affordable housing development and preservation in Knoxville, Tennessee. This in-person convening was an extension of the Rural Rental Preservation Academy and focused on policies, funding, and innovative strategies to address rural affordability at the federal, state, and local level.

Day 1

The Role of Housing in Vibrant Rural Communities

What's at Risk: The Importance of Housing Preservation

USDA 515 Decoupling: Opportunities and Successes

Financing Tools for Preservation and Rehabilitation

  • Steven Edmonson, Assistant Vice President & USDA Underwriter at Bellwether Enterprise

  • Katie Porter, Director of Acquisitions, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments

  • Moderator: Robin Wolff, Senior Director, Rural Communities, Enterprise Community Partners

Programs and Partners for Housing Preservation in Rural Communities

  • Pam Johnson, Senior VP of Partnerships and Programs, Fahe

  • Seth Leonard, Senior Rental Housing Development and Preservation Housing Specialist, Housing Assistance Council

  • Joseph Mattingly, Senior Loan Officer, Enterprise Community Loan Fund

  • Moderator: Chris Estes

Federal Policies that Affect Rural Housing Preservation

  • Eric Alexander, Multifamily Development Director, Tennessee Housing Development Agency

  • Phillip Gillman, Deputy Commissioner, Housing Assistance and Development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

  • Erik Schmidt, Energy Program Administrator, Tennessee State Energy Office

  • Moderator: Pat Cave, Senior VP of Policy, Enterprise Community Partners

Case Studies: Successful Preservation Projects

Day 2

Fireside Chat

  • Ralph Perrey, Executive Director, Tennessee Housing Development Agency

  • Dr. Christie Cade, Vice President and Southeast Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partner

State and Local Policy Panel

  • Senator Richard Briggs, Tennessee State Senator

  • Maggie Riden, Executive Vice President of External Affairs, Fahe

  • Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, Director of Housing Policy, North Carolina Housing Coalition

  • Moderator: Beth Stephens, Director, Southeast State and Local Policy, Enterprise Community Partners

Disaster Recovery and Resilience Panel

  • Pam Johnson, Senior VP of Partnerships and Programs, Fahe

  • CJ Reynolds, Director of Resilience and Disaster Recovery with the Florida Housing Coalition

  • Elizabeth Richards, Building Resilient Futures, Enteprise Community Partners

 

The Learning Center’s resources and all data and information provided therein (collectively, “Content”) are for general informational purposes only. All Content is provided “as is” and may no longer be current or up to date. Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively referred to as “Enterprise”) as well as any co-authors of any Content disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions and make no warranties or representations of any kind, either express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any Content presented. All Content should be independently verified by you before relying on it. The Content does not constitute professional advice or services (including but not limited to legal, financial, tax, or investment advice).

Originally Published
August 25, 2025
Authors
Enterprise Community Partners
Capabilities
Resource Type
  • Training