Workshops

SESSION I WORKSHOPS

Planning, Zoning & Coding in NJ: Lessons from the Field
As a follow-up to the NJ Planning, Zoning & Code Institute: Navigating NJ Municipal Systems series, this interactive panel brings together experienced planning, zoning, and code enforcement professionals to share practical insights, real-world case studies, and lessons learned. Panelists will address common challenges and misconceptions while offering strategies for navigating municipal processes and complex issues. Whether you participated in the Institute or are new to the conversation, you’ll gain practical perspectives you can apply in your community. 

Building for Resilience: Balancing Housing and Flood-Risk
As flooding becomes more frequent across New Jersey, balancing affordable home development with flood resilience is increasingly urgent. With the proposed New Jersey Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJREAL) regulations delayed for another year, this session will explore the opportunities and challenges facing the housing and community development sector. Hear from affordable home developers and environmental justice advocates as they discuss strategies for adapting to climate change and building resilient, equitable communities.

Inspiring Faith2Foundations: Creating Faith-Based and Mission Driven Housing
Learn how faith-based organizations are leveraging land, partnerships, and community trust to advance affordable housing. Drawing on successful models from across the country, including the LISC’s New York Land Opportunity Program for Mission-Driven and Faith-Based Organizations (NYLOP), the panel will explore practical strategies for expanding the role of congregations and mission-driven organizations in equitable housing development while addressing New Jersey's affordable housing needs.

Funding for the Future: Diversifying for Financial Stability
In an uncertain funding environment, nonprofits cannot rely on a single revenue source, especially government funding. This workshop will explore strategies for diversifying revenue and reducing reliance on government support to build greater financial stability. Participants will learn how to identify potential funding opportunities and how to strengthen their Fund Development Plan to achieve long-term sustainability while continuing to meet the needs of their communities.

Mobilizing to Make Change: Tenant Organizing for Housing Justice
Local housing justice campaigns are often what help shape the Network's statewide policy priorities. With the 2026 launch of the Network's Tenant Leadership Council, this advocacy workshop will review the "soup to nuts" of organizing community campaigns and leveraging that upward pressure to the governor and state legislature. From advancing rent control to ending the criminalization of homelessness, and from advocating for housing diversity to reviving vacant and abandoned properties, this workshop will serve as a primer to identifying and implementing housing justice campaigns and achieving big local wins!

SESSION II WORKSHOPS

Succeeding by Design: Planning Transitions, Growing Talent, Sustaining Impact
Effective succession planning begins long before a leadership vacancy occurs. This interactive workshop explores strategies for developing future leaders, creating equitable advancement opportunities, retaining top talent, and preparing organizations for both planned and unexpected leadership transitions to ensure long-term organizational stability and impact.

Beating the Heat: Protecting Communities from Extreme Heat
Record-breaking heatwaves are becoming more common for the Garden State and as a result, efforts to protect residents from the risks of extreme heat are expanding. This session will provide updates on the state's response following the first summer of the New Jersey Code Red Pilot Program, introduce new heat mitigation resources from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and highlight community-driven initiatives designed to reduce dangerous heat exposure to vulnerable populations. Join state officials and local partners to learn how these programs are advancing heat resilience and what they mean for communities across New Jersey.

Navigating Housing Counseling Now: Understanding New HUD Eligibility Requirements
Join the Network for a practical workshop designed to help Local Housing Counseling Agencies and HUD Certified Housing Counselors better serve HUD-assisted renters. Learn how to identify HUD-assisted households, understand the major rental assistance programs and determine what type of assistance a client receives. Explore tenant support resources, including the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, and discover opportunities to help renters build financial stability and pursue homeownership. Participants will also learn why understanding these distinctions matter under the latest HUD Housing Counseling Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Changing CRA: Community Development Investment Advisory Board (CDIAB) Affinity Group (By Invitation Only)
The Community Development Advisory Board (CDIAB) is a forum for the Network’s private sector banking partners and members to discuss current and future opportunities and challenges facing our sector. This year’s member-only conversation will focus on the proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and pathways to expand community reinvestment commitments at the state level. The CDIAB fosters conversations about the needs of non-profit developers and encourages the use of the CRA and other investment tools in the Garden State. CDIAB members are invited to discuss the impact of proposed federal rules that threaten the CRA. Together, we can identify ways to work with CDCs to serve income-constrained families and communities that have been excluded from the financial system, repairing harm caused by redlining and other tools of systemic and institutional racism.

Powering Production: Securing Resources for Community Developers
Nonprofit housing developers and community development corporations (CDCs) play a major role in helping municipalities meet their affordable housing obligations. From developing 100% affordable housing to creating infill housing and revitalizing vacant and abandoned properties, the nonprofit development sector is essential to expanding housing opportunities. This workshop will explore the HouseNJ campaign and FY28 budget priorities, and how the community development sector can advocate for increased investment in housing production.