Enterprise hosted two days of conversation about affordable housing development and preservation in Boise, Idaho. This in-person convening was an extension of the 2026 Rural Rental Preservation Academy and focused on policies, funding, and innovative strategies to address rural affordability at the federal, state, and local level.
Download the In-Person Agenda | Go to Day 2
Day 1
The Importance of Housing Preservation and What’s at Risk
This session dives into the importance of rural development and why it is critical to improve the overall well-being in rural regions.
Panelists:
- Emily Nosse-Leirer, Director, Rural and Native American Policy, Enterprise Community Partners
- Jennie Rodgers, VP, Rocky Mountain Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partners
Related Materials:
- Download The Importance of Housing Preservation and What's at Risk presentation
- Watch The Importance of Housing Preservation and What's at Risk session
Financing Tools for Preservation and Rehab
This session reviews funding sources used to preserve rural rental housing.
Panelists:
- Edgar Morales, Senior Vice President, BWE
- Joseph Mattingly, Senior Loan Officer, Enterprise Community Loan Fund
- Alex Bardaweel, Community Development Loan Officer, New West Community Capital
- Jonelle Yearout, Executive Director, Nimiipuu Fund
- Shelly Noordam, Senior Loan Officer, RCAC
Watch Financing Tools for Preservation and Rehab
Preservation Case Studies
This session covers case studies of the USDA 515 transfer process and rural development.
Panelists:
- Tracy Dutson, Assistant Director of Rural Housing, Enterprise Community Partners
- Yolanda Jackson, Program Manager, Enterprise Community Partners
- Sheila Scheitrum, Assistant Director of Rental Housing Programs, Self Help Enterprises
Related Materials:
- Download the presentation for Tracy Dutson and Yolanda Jackson
- Download the presentation for Sheila Scheitrum
- Watch Preservation Case Studies
Deep Dive: How Do We Get to Yes?
This session looks at navigating real preservation challenges and how to get to the end of the project.
Panelists:
- Tiana Joyner, Assistant Director of Rural Housing, Enterprise Community Partners
- Ashleigh Kilgore, Senior Housing Developer, Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing
Related Materials:
State and Local Policy Panel
This session provides an overview of state policy challenges and opportunities and stories for preserving rural properties.
Panelists:
- Kiah Jones, Mayor’s Office Housing Advisor, City of Boise
- Sunny Shaw, Executive Director, Twin Falls Housing Authority
Watch the State and Local Policy Panel
Programs and Organizations: Supporting Housing and Housing Preservation
This session explores how to support affordable rural housing and housing preservation.
Panelists:
- Brady Ellis, EVP, Community Housing, Idaho Housing Foundation
- Bud Compher, CEO, NeighborWorks Boise
- Kyle Prior, Executive Director, Duck Valley Housing Authority
- Bart Cochran, Founder and CEO, LEAP Idaho
- Sonya Samuels-Allen, Homebuyer Educator, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority
Related Materials:
Day 2
Making the Case for Rural Preservation: Allies, Challenges, and Messaging
This fireside chat focuses on making the case for rural preservation by looking at recent rural preservation successes in Colorado.
Panelists:
- Jennie Rodgers, VP, Rocky Mountain Market, Enterprise Community Partners
- Kinsey Hasstedt, State and Local Policy Director, Rocky Mountain Market, Enterprise Community Partners
Related Materials:
- Download the Making the Case for Rural Preservation presentation
- Watch Making the Case for Rural Preservation
Tax Credits as a Preservation Tool
This session dives into how to use Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and other programs can be leveraged for rural housing preservation.
Panelists:
- Philip Porter, Senior Vice President, Head of Acquisitions, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments
- Cory Phelps, Vice President, Project Finance, Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Watch Tax Credits as a Preservation Tool
What’s on the Horizon: Federal Legislation and Agency Changes
This session looks at the potential impact of new federal policy and agency changes on rural rental housing preservation.
Panelists:
- Rebecca Simon, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP
- Emily Nosse-Leirer, Director, Rural and Native American Policy, Enterprise Community Partners
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