
Your Guide to the Summit Experience
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Registration & Coffee-Networking
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Welcome Remarks
Presented by Summit Host Organization and United Way An introduction to the summit’s theme, goals, and what to expect throughout the day.
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM Opening Remarks with the Mayor of Alexandria
The Summit opens with a welcome from the Mayor of Alexandria, who will underscore the urgency of addressing today’s housing challenges and the significance of gathering leaders, innovators, and partners in this dialogue. The Mayor will reflect on how Alexandria’s own housing journey—balancing growth, affordability, and community well-being—mirrors the challenges faced in cities across the nation. By framing housing as more than shelter, but as the foundation of opportunity, dignity, and strong communities, the Mayor will highlight why housing innovation is not optional, but essential. These remarks will emphasize the importance of collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and how dialogue at this Summit can lead to actionable solutions. The Mayor will also call on participants to bring forward bold ideas, to think beyond boundaries, and to embrace the kinds of partnerships and innovations that can transform the way America approaches housing. In welcoming attendees, the Mayor will set the tone for the day: one of shared responsibility, creativity, and commitment to ensuring that every individual and family has access to a place to call home.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Housing Finance Keynote speaker: Bill Pulte, Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency - A National Vision for Housing Finance and Innovation
The Summit begins with a powerful call to action from Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). At a time when rising costs, limited supply, and financing barriers threaten housing affordability nationwide, Director Pulte’s leadership is shaping a bold, future-focused vision for housing finance and innovation. He will outline how reforms to modernize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, broaden credit scoring models, and integrate emerging technologies can expand access to homeownership and strengthen housing markets across the country. His remarks will highlight how innovation in finance and investment directly fuels innovation in construction, development, and community-building—ensuring that solutions are scalable and sustainable. By underscoring the role of public-private partnerships and aligning federal policy with local action, Director Pulte will set the tone for the Summit: a call to think beyond boundaries, work collaboratively across sectors, and build communities where every American—whether a first responder, young professional, family, or retiree—can find a place to call home.
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM Housing Legislative Keynote speakers - Framing the Challenge, Paving the ROAD: A Bipartisan Path to Solving America's Housing Crisis
The shortage of attainable housing is one of the most urgent challenges facing communities across the United States. From urban centers and growing suburbs to rural towns, millions of Americans, including working families, seniors, veterans, and essential workers, struggle to find safe, affordable places to call home. This crisis is not just about housing, it’s about the stability of the workforce, the vitality of communities, and the strength of the economy. Without action, the ripple effects will continue to undermine economic growth, strain public resources, and erode social cohesion. The U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are invited to address the scope of the nation’s housing crisis and present the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 as a practical, scalable solution. Together they will explore how the bill can streamline funding, break down regulatory barriers, and foster innovation to create housing that is both affordable and resilient. This flagship session will define the extent of the challenge, highlight the communities and industries most impacted, and explain why fixing the housing crisis is vital to America’s economic competitiveness, social equity, and long-term resilience. It will also demonstrate how policy, when supported by bipartisan effort and cross-sector collaboration, can lead to transformative change and support the American Dream. The session will include 15 minutes for Q&A.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Morning Coffee-Break & Networking
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Panel 1: Financing Innovation – Unlocking Capital for Scalable Housing Solutions
Access to capital remains one of the most significant barriers to expanding affordable and attainable housing. This panel brings together capital lenders, financial institutions, and investors to explore how innovative financing tools, lending models, and impact-driven investment strategies are reshaping the housing landscape. Panelists will share perspectives on blending public and private capital, leveraging fintech solutions, and structuring deals that unlock scale while maintaining affordability. Attendees will gain insight into what today’s investors are looking for, how lenders are adapting to changing market realities, and the pathways for channeling more capital into sustainable, inclusive housing solutions.
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM Panel 2: Builders of the Future – How Developers Are Disrupting and Redefining the Housing Industry?
The housing crisis demands not only more homes, but more innovative, cost-effective, and faster ways of creating them. This curated session spotlights the innovators and disruptors, developers who are redefining what’s possible through bold approaches to design, land use, and financing. These “builders of the future” are investing in innovation to deliver attainable housing solutions that respond to today’s affordability pressures while anticipating the needs of tomorrow’s communities.
12:20 PM – 1:30 PM Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM Panel 3: Digital Transformation and Data-Driven Innovation in Housing: Accelerating Solutions for Impact
The future of housing innovation is shaped not only by design and construction but also by the power of data, technology, and digital tools. This panel brings together leaders in proptech, innovative city development, fintech, and affordable housing to explore how digital transformation is creating new ways to scale solutions efficiently and sustainably. Panelists will discuss how predictive analytics and AI are being used to forecast housing demand, identify optimal development sites, and streamline planning, while IoT and smart building technologies are improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing resident experiences. They will explore how digital financing platforms are broadening access to capital, enabling innovative funding models that make attainable housing projects more viable and scalable. Equally, the conversation will examine how technology can empower residents through platforms that improve engagement, streamline maintenance, and strengthen community connections. Attendees will gain a forward-looking perspective on how technology, data, and cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the delivery of high-quality, attainable housing, while generating measurable social and financial impact. For investors and funders, this session offers a rare opportunity to see how digital tools can amplify the reach, efficiency, and impact of housing solutions, turning innovation into actionable, scalable outcomes.
2:20 PM – 2:35 PM Coffee-Break & Networking
2:35 PM – 3:25 PM Panel 4: The Missing Middle: Unleashing the Power of Small Developers
In America’s housing landscape, the “missing middle” represents a critical gap. These are homes that fall between single-family units and large multifamily complexes. This space, often overlooked by institutional developers, holds enormous potential to expand attainable housing options and strengthen communities. Small and mid-sized developers, entrepreneurs, and community builders are uniquely positioned to address this gap. Yet, they face significant barriers: limited access to capital, restrictive zoning, rising construction costs, and the absence of tailored support systems. This panel will bring together innovators, policymakers, and financiers to explore how unleashing the potential of small developers can transform the housing market. Discussions will focus on strategies to expand financing pathways, reduce regulatory burdens, and leverage partnerships with public, private, and philanthropic sectors. Panelists will share success stories where smaller-scale developers have driven innovation, from adaptive reuse of existing buildings to mixed-use, mixed-income projects that foster vibrant and inclusive neighborhoods. For investors and funders, this session presents a rare opportunity to see how empowering small developers can yield high-impact returns, both financial and social. By tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit of local builders, communities can scale housing solutions that are adaptable, creative, and deeply connected to the needs of the American people.
3:25 PM – 4:15 PM Panel 5: Designing the Path Forward Attainable Housing: Breaking Barriers for New Opportunities and Solutions
The journey toward attainable housing is filled with challenges—rising costs, limited supply, regulatory hurdles, and workforce gaps—but these obstacles also create unprecedented opportunities for innovation and collaboration. This panel brings together thought leaders to explore how to break through barriers and develop scalable solutions that deliver real impact. Panelists will examine strategies to tackle critical challenges, including: Housing Supply Shortages: Accelerating production through modular construction, adaptive reuse, and innovative land use. Workforce Development: Equipping skilled professionals to adopt new technologies such as AI, automation, and smart construction tools. Regulatory and Policy Hurdles: Navigating zoning, permitting, and policy reforms that unlock development potential. Financing and Investment: Leveraging creative financing models and public-private partnerships to fund sustainable, high-quality housing. The conversation will also highlight opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, technological innovation, and proactive investment strategies. Attendees will gain practical insights into how partnerships and innovation are essential for creating housing solutions that are both accessible and transformative—addressing today’s crisis while building a more resilient housing future
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM Closing remarks
Laying the foundation for Attainable Housing.