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Registration open for 2026 SC Affordable Housing Summit
Thursday, Mar 5, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Housing is a hot topic, and from April 15-16, that conversation will take center stage in Columbia at the South Carolina Affordable Housing Summit.
Registration is now open for the 2026 South Carolina Affordable Housing Summit, hosted by SC Housing in partnership with the SC Affordable Housing Coalition at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
To register to attend, visit https://www.scaffordablehousingsummit.com/.
The Summit is the state’s premier gathering focused exclusively on affordable housing policy, development, and implementation.
The two-day event will convene policymakers, developers, nonprofit leaders, lenders, public agencies, and housing practitioners from across South Carolina to address the state’s growing housing challenges with coordinated strategy, innovation, and practical training.
Registration, sponsorship, session information and more can be found at scaffordablehousingsummit.com.
As housing affordability pressures continue to impact communities statewide, from rural towns to rapidly growing urban centers, the Summit will provide a forum for collaboration and actionable solutions. Attendees will engage in timely breakout sessions, workshops, and expert panels designed to equip stakeholders with the tools and insights needed to expand housing opportunity.
This year’s program will cover key topic areas including:
- Housing tax credits and financing strategies
- Homeownership initiatives and down payment assistance programs
- Rural and municipal housing development approaches
- Nonprofit housing models and partnerships
- Emerging policy considerations and implementation best practices
Each session is structured to deliver practical, results-oriented information that supports sustainable and equitable housing growth across South Carolina.
Organizers anticipate strong attendance from leaders across the public and private sectors who are engaged and ready to respond to the state’s evolving housing landscape.
Registration details, program updates, and additional event information are available through SC Housing.
2026 Agenda
| Day | Time | Session | Track | Location | Speakers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10:30-11:45 | Tips and Suggestions for working with SC Housing's Tax Credit Programs | Rental Development and Finance | Richland | Kim Wilbourne, Multifamily Development Director, SC Housing Mark Shelburne, Housing Policy Consultant, Novogradac Consulting LLP | Development Staff with SC Housing and their consultant will share program information and helpful tips on submitting successful applications. Attendees will also hear strategies for working with local governments to obtain additional funding. A must-attend session for LIHTC developers and owners. |
| 1 | 10:30-11:45 | Resilience Planning for Flood Risks, Voluntary Housing Buyout Programs, and the Need for Post-Buyout Affordable Housing | Housing Resilience, Repair and Recovery | Lexington | Andrew White – SCOR GIS Manager Nancy Miramonti – Mitigation Buyout Program Manager | Overview of SC Office of Resilience flood-risk planning and modeling tools including the Resilience Atlas. The session will explain voluntary buyout programs, available funding sources, and the need for affordable housing solutions for households participating in buyouts. |
| 1 | 10:30-11:45 | Building Brighter Futures: The Fairfield Teachers Village Vision | Rural / Local Issues or Innovation | Congaree | Saundra Ross Johnson Dr. J.R. Green Dr. Sue Rex Shirley Greene Veronica Thomas Tandra Jones | The Fairfield Teachers Village is an affordable housing initiative designed to attract and retain educators in Fairfield County, SC. This thoughtfully planned community offers high-quality homes within walking distance of schools and serves as a replicable model for rural communities. |
| Noon-1:45 | Lunch and Afternoon Plenary | Fred Moore – Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee | Remarks on pending and proposed federal legislation. | |||
| 1 | 2:00-3:15 | The Power of Community Planning in Rural SC | Rural / Local Issues | Richland | Courtney Kotowski – Rural Health, SC Legal Services Paola Gutierrez – South Carolina Office of Rural Health | Case studies from Chester and Marlboro counties demonstrating how rural communities build capacity, secure funding, and advance community planning initiatives through collaboration and state partnerships. |
| 1 | 2:00-3:15 | Optimizing 4% Bonds and Debt Structures under the 25% Test | Rental Development and Finance | Lexington | Allison King – Tiber Hudson Emily Zackon – Parker Poe Sean Burke – PGIM BJ Biggio – Stifel Jenn Wilkinson – Ulysses | Experts discuss structuring bond and debt deals under the 25% test including recycled bonds, evolving rules, and best practices for affordable housing bond financing. |
| 1 | 2:00-3:15 | Rethinking Post-Disaster Housing Recovery | Housing Resilience, Repair and Recovery | Congaree | Aaron Brown – American Institute of Architects Renaye Long – SC Housing Olivia Barone – SC EMD Dr. Weichiang Pang – Clemson University | Discussion on disaster recovery housing strategies including planning for temporary and permanent solutions, forecasting survivor needs, and coordinating statewide recovery partners. |
| 1 | 3:45-5:00 | LIHTC Equity Perspectives & Strategies for 2026 and Beyond | Rental Development & Finance | Richland | Darren Swanson – Redstone Equity Partners | Roundtable exploring evolving LIHTC equity markets, investor expectations, and strategies developers can use to maximize equity proceeds in upcoming deals. |
| 1 | 3:45-5:00 | New Developments in the SC Housing Trust Fund | Housing Resilience, Repair and Recovery | Lexington | Jack Suber – SC Housing John Thomson – SC Housing | Overview of changes to the Housing Trust Fund’s Home Repair Program. |
| 1 | 3:45-5:00 | Municipal Innovations and Initiatives in Affordable Housing | Rural / Local Issues | Congaree | Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill | |
| 2 | 9:00-10:15 | Opening General Session | South Carolina is Growing Fast, but Where Are We Headed? | Ballroom | Dr. Joey Von Nessen – Research Economist, University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business | ||
| 2 | 10:30-11:45 | WAHN Developer Power Panel | General / Innovation | Richland | Allie Zamfir (Moderator) – SC WAHN President | Leaders from across the affordable housing industry share insights on leadership, partnerships, and creative collaboration driving housing solutions. |
| 2 | 10:30-11:45 | Breaking Barriers: Accessibility in Affordable & Public Housing | Property Compliance and Operations | Lexington | Josh Brown – E and A Team | Explores accessible design and inclusive policies that improve affordable housing environments for individuals and communities. |
| 2 | 10:30-11:45 | Post-Disaster Common Housing Operating Picture (CHOP) and SC Helene Housing Recovery | Housing Resilience, Repair and Recovery | Congaree | Ran Reinhard – SCOR Director of Operations Scott Sharp – SCOR Disaster Recovery Director | Discussion on developing a CHOP system to coordinate housing recovery resources and improve deployment of state and federal disaster housing funds. |
| Noon-1:45 | Lunch and Housing Awards Program | Ballroom | ||||
| 2 | 2:00-3:15 | Opportunity Zones 2.0 + South Carolina’s Tax Exemption Program | Rural / Local or Rental Development | Richland | Mark Elliott – Opportunity SC | Examines how Opportunity Zones 2.0 and SC property tax exemptions can support preservation, affordability, and long-term community stability. |
| 2 | 2:00-3:15 | What’s New and More with LIHTC | Property Compliance and Operations | Lexington | Tonya Holmes – SC Housing | Overview of HOTMA changes affecting tax credit and HOME programs along with a review of NSPIRE standards. |
| 2 | 2:00-3:15 | Connecting Housing and Health through South Carolina’s SHIP | General Interest | Congaree | Karla Buru – SC Department of Public Health Kobra Eghtedary – SC Department of Public Health Paola Gutierrez – SC Office of Rural Health Doug Taylor – Center for Community Health Alignment | Overview of the 2025-2030 South Carolina State Health Improvement Plan and ways housing and health organizations can collaborate to improve community well-being. |
Media Contact: Matthew McColl
Marketing and Public Information Director
matthew.mccoll@schousing.com
803-896-9520
SC Housing is a self-sustaining housing finance agency committed to ensuring that South Carolinians have the opportunity to live in safe, decent and affordable housing. Agency operations are supported by a funding base that includes fees and other revenue earned through the administration of agency programs. For more information, visit SCHousing.sc.gov.