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Crosswinds and Crossroads — Risk and Resilience in Housing

By Lee Gottschalk

July 3, 2025

Friday, October 3 * 8:30 am – 2:30 pm * Fluno Center * Madison, WI

Federal housing policy is in flux, with recent and anticipated shifts under the Trump Administration reshaping long-standing programs, incentives, and regulatory frameworks. From changes in tax policy and affordable housing financing to evolving oversight and funding priorities, these disruptions are having a significant impact on housing markets—particularly for affordable and workforce housing.

Expert panelists who are leaders, policymakers, and advocates, will discuss how they are navigating today’s policy uncertainty, and more importantly, how they are working to build resilience, identify solutions, and leverage emerging opportunities. With a focus on actionable strategies, panelists will discuss how to adapt to the changing federal landscape while continuing to advance housing affordability and equity.

Join Us!

  • Learn from a range of experts — from the public and private sectors, from government and business and from academia — who are on the front lines of housing market research, policy and practice.
  • Explore these questions and identify programs and solutions.
  • Join us and you’ll have the opportunity to network with a diverse and passionate group of 150+ housing, banking, real estate, government and non-profit professionals to share ideas and best practices

Jessica Lautz, Keynote Presenter

Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research , National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)

Dr. Jessica Lautz is the Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®. She has been with NAR since 2007.

The core of her research focuses on analyzing trends for both NAR members and housing consumers. She is in demand as a speaker and by major media outlets to provide commentary on the real estate market. She has testified before Congress on behalf of NAR.

Carlos Garriga, Keynote Presenter

Senior Vice President and Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Carlos Garriga is a senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which he joined in August 2007. His research focuses on macroeconomics, monetary economics, housing and credit markets, asset pricing, and public economics. He is a member of the Bank’s Management Committee. Garriga also serves as part of the FOMC council that advises the Bank president on current issues related to monetary policy and the broader economy and, since 2017, has attended FOMC meetings in Washington, D.C.

Elmer Moore headshot

Elmer Moore, Featured Presenter

CEO, WHEDA
Advancing Innovative Solutions to Increase Affordable Housing Supply

Elmer Moore, Jr. was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) in April 2022. Since stepping into the role, he has brought high energy, strategic vision, and a transformative approach to addressing Wisconsin’s housing crisis and supporting a future where Wisconsinites have an affordable place to call home.

With a deep commitment to equity and access, Mr. Moore champions the belief that housing is a fundamental human need—one that is deeply connected to mental, physical, and financial well-being. His passion for this vision is driving WHEDA’s work to transform lives, neighborhoods, and communities across Wisconsin, advancing housing as a foundation for individual and collective prosperity.

Presenters and Moderators

  • Thom Amdur, Senior Vice President for Policy & Impact, Lincoln Avenue Communities
  • Rob Brooks, Wisconsin State Representative, Assembly District 59
  • Karl Eckart, Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs, NAHB
  • Mark Eppli, Teaching Professor, Department of Real Estate & Urban Land Economics, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Carlos Garriga, Senior Vice President and Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
  • Lu Han, Nathan F. Brand Chair Professor in Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Wisconsin School of Business and Faculty Director of the Urban Economics and Real Estate Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
  • Elmer Moore, President, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
  • Erika Poethig, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Planning at the Civic Committee and Commercial Club of Chicago; Former Special Assistant to the President for Housing and Urban Policy in the White House Domestic Policy Council
  • Bryan Schreiter, Senior VP of Commercial Lending, Associated Bank
  • David Weiss, CEO, General Capital Group

Agenda

Time

Session

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.  Continental Breakfast and Registration
9:00 – 9:10 a.m.Welcome and Introductions: Lu Han, Nathan F. Brand Chair Professor in Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Wisconsin School of Business and Faculty Director of the Urban Economics and Real Estate Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
9:10 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote 1: The 2026 Economic and Housing Outlook
Presenter: Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
10:00 – 11:15 a.m. Panel 1: Charting a Course Through Federal Housing Policy Uncertainty
As federal housing priorities shift and longstanding programs face disruption, the future of affordable and workforce housing hangs in the balance. Policy changes under the Trump Administration have introduced volatility in tax incentives, regulatory oversight, and funding mechanisms—creating challenges for developers, advocates, and communities alike.

This panel brings together experts working at the intersection of policy and practice to explore how the housing sector can respond proactively. Panelists will share insights on navigating political and regulatory uncertainty, and offer forward-looking strategies to strengthen housing resilience, support innovation, and advance affordability in today’s unsettled policy environment.

Moderator:  Mark Eppli, Faculty Associate, Real Estate Department, UW-Madison
Karl Eckart, Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs, NAHB
Erika Poethig, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Planning at the Civic Committee and Commercial Club of Chicago
Thom Amdur, Senior Vice President for Policy & Impact, Lincoln Avenue Communities
11:15 – 11:30 a.m.  Networking Break 
11:30 – 12:30 pmKeynote 2: The Economics of Housing: Affordability, Policy, and the Road Ahead
Carlos Garriga, Senior Vice President and Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12:30 – 1:20 pmLunch
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Panel 2: Housing Under Pressure: Building Solutions for Wisconsin Amid Policy and Market Challenges
Wisconsin, like many states, is grappling with a growing shortage of affordable and workforce housing—an issue felt acutely in both urban centers and rural communities. As federal housing policy continues to shift, state and local leaders must navigate the ripple effects of federal decisions while crafting solutions that address local needs.
This panel will examine how federal policy uncertainty intersects with Wisconsin’s housing landscape, and how state-level efforts are rising to meet the challenge. From funding gaps to regulatory barriers and development pressures, panelists will explore what’s being done to expand access to housing, support economic development, and build long-term resilience in communities across the state. The conversation will focus on practical strategies for overcoming current constraints and strengthening Wisconsin’s housing future.
                                                               
Moderator:  Elmer Moore
, President, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Panelists:
Bryan Schreiter, Senior VP of Commercial Lending, Associated Bank-CONFIRMED
David Weiss, CEO, General Capital Group
Legislative Representative
2:30 p.m.Wrap-up and Adjourn

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors and Partners

In-Kind Sponsor

Four Ways to Register


1. CALL: 1-800-348-8964 or 608-262-2451
2. REGISTER ONLINE »   
3. FAX: 1-800-741-7416
4. MAIL completed registration form to:

The Pyle Center
Registration Office
702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706-1487

Registration Fees

$170 for government/non-profit and WREAA attendees
$200 for corporate attendees

In-person fee includes conference materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments. The program includes two virtual keynotes broadcast at the conference and two in-person panels. 
We are grateful for the support of our conference sponsors whose contributions help to keep registration fees low, allowing non-profit and government professionals to attend this important forum.

Registration Deadline: Friday, September 15.  Call (608) 250-6401 for availability after this date. No refunds after September 15 but substitutions are allowed.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made before Monday, October 2, will receive a full refund; those made on or after October 4 are subject to the full registration fee. Substitutions may be made at any time.

Questions: If you have any questions, please contact Lee Gottschalk at lee.gottschalk@wisc.edu or 608-265-2032. If you have a disability and desire accommodations, please advise us when you register. Requests will be kept confidential.

Location and Lodging

Fluno Center
601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53708
608-441-7117 
887-773-5866

Hotel accommodations
A block of rooms is reserved at the Fluno Center at $138 per night for the evening of October 12. Contact the Fluno Center directly at 608-441-7117 or 887-773-5866 to reserve your room. Be sure to mention that you are attending the Wisconsin Real Estate and Economic Outlook Conference. 

Parking, Travel and Directions
A 290-stall parking facility (Lot 83) is conveniently located beneath the Fluno located at 314 N Frances St, Madison. The rate is $15 per day. We encourage you to arrive early the day of the conference, as there will be only one parking lot attendant on duty. There are also several public lots nearby. For additional information on getting to the Fluno Center by plane, car, or bus, please click here.

Sponsor Opportunities

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please complete this form and return it to us by Monday, September 30. Sponsorship payments may also be made online, using this secure link. (Select Wisconsin Real Estate & Economic Outlook Conference for the Conference/Event Name, and enter 01 for the Reservation Number in the payment form.)  You will receive complimentary registrations for the conference, as well as extensive brand outreach for your company through our social media channels, website and recognition at the conference.

Why Should You Join Us as a Sponsor?

  • Visibility and Exposure:  Build valuable name recognition for your company by supporting a high-profile conference on critical real estate, housing, and community development issues. Your organization will receive extensive brand outreach throughout the conference marketing campaign -online and in the printed materials via multiple media outlets.
  • Direct Access to the Wisconsin Housing, Real Estate and Banking Community:  Network with a wide variety of professionals and policymakers interested in the issues and opportunities presented by the real estate and housing markets. Attendees include real estate and finance professionals, non-profit groups, government and service agencies, and developers. We expect a capacity crowd at 150 professionals. 
  • Inspiring Knowledge and Expertise for You and Your Clients:  Invest in your community and support critical housing and economic development issues by helping us keep the registration fee low so non-profit and government professionals can afford to attend this important forum. 
  • Competitive Edge: Take advantage of a unique opportunity to broaden your competitive edge by improving your company’s image, prestige, and credibility by supporting a world-class conference and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, the global leader in real estate education.

Sponsor Levels

  • LEAD PARTNER: $7,500 – 7 complimentary conference registrations; 3 invitations to the pre-conference dinner.
  • PLATINUM:  $5,000 – 5 complimentary conference registrations and 2 invitations to the pre-conference dinner.
  • GOLD: $2,500 – 3 complimentary conference registrations and 1 invitation to the pre-conference dinner.
  • SILVER LEVEL:  $1,000 – 2 complimentary conference registrations
  • BRONZE LEVEL:  $500 – 1 complimentary conference registrations

Event Sponsorship Opportunities

PRE-CONFERENCE DINNER – $3,000 – 3 complimentary conference registrations and 2 invitations to the pre-conference dinner.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST – $1,500 – 2 complimentary registrations

REFRESHMENTS BREAKS – $1,000 – 2 complimentary registrations

LUNCHEON – $3,000 – 3 complimentary conference registrations and 2 invitations to the pre-conference dinner.