ReFrame Conference 2026
16th Annual National Conference for Home Repair Programs
Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel
866 West Peachtree Street Northwest Atlanta, GA 30308 United States
ReFrame Conference + Home Repair Solutions Lab
This year, ReFrame Conference combines the best of a traditional conference with the collaborative energy of the Home Repair Solutions Lab, giving attendees more opportunities to learn, connect, and solve challenges alongside peers from across the country.
As the premier national gathering for home repair organizations and community development leaders, ReFrame Conference brings together practitioners, advocates, funders, and partners committed to preserving safe, healthy, and affordable homes.
One of the most exciting aspects of this year's event is the addition of the Home Repair Solutions Lab on October 5. This full-day (9AM to 5PM), interactive session is designed to bring together leaders from across the home repair ecosystem to tackle some of the field's most pressing challenges. The day will feature three panel discussions, each followed by facilitated roundtable "solution groups" where attendees will work together to address a specific question related to the panel topic.
Our goal is to generate fresh perspectives, foster cross-sector collaboration, and identify practical strategies that strengthen the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the home repair ecosystem.
On October 6th (9AM to 4:15PM), we will have our usual plenary and break-out sessions covering topics similar to our past conference that touch on things from the nuts-and-bolts of doing repairs to how to use research to make the case for home repair funding and program improvements.
Whether you're an executive director, repair program manager, construction professional, grant writer, volunteer manager, or emerging leader, you'll leave with actionable strategies, valuable connections, and fresh ideas to strengthen your organization and increase your impact.
Join us October 5–6 for two days of learning, collaboration, and innovation designed specifically for the home repair sector.
Home Repair Solutions Lab
Oct 5, 2026 - 9AM to 5 PM
Where Innovation Meets Action
The housing challenges facing our communities are too complex for presentations alone. That's why the Coalition for Home Repair is combining the best elements of a traditional conference with the collaborative problem-solving power of a Solutions Lab.
The Home Repair Solutions Lab brings together housing practitioners, funders, policymakers, researchers, and community partners to move beyond discussion and toward practical solutions that strengthen and scale home repair programs nationwide.
Unlike traditional conference sessions that focus primarily on sharing information, the Solutions Lab creates space for participants to work together, test ideas, explore emerging models, and develop strategies that can be implemented in their own communities.
What to Expect
The Home Repair Solutions Lab builds upon the success of our 2024 Detroit
Home Repair Solutions Lab and our annual national ReFrame conference,
which, in 2025, brought together more than 150 participants representing 100
organizations from across the country in Kansas City, MO.
The day will feature three panel discussions, each followed by facilitated roundtable "solution groups" where attendees will work together to address a specific question related to the panel topic.
By integrating the Solutions Lab into our annual conference, we are creating a
model that enables host communities to benefit directly from national expertise
and fosters ongoing collaboration among local stakeholders long after the event
concludes.
A structured working summit — not a passive conference. Practitioners, funders, and national leaders develop actionable responses to the most pressing challenges in home repair today.
Building on the 2024 Detroit Home Repair Solutions Lab, this session is purpose-built to create lasting impact in the Atlanta region.
Panel #1: Collaboration and Coordination
Moderator: Freyja Harris
Panelists:
- Ashley Zuverink — Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
- Michael Mogensen — City of Cleveland, Ohio; Bloomberg Fellow
- Vona Cox — Meals on Wheels, Atlanta
This panel will explore how communities can build stronger, more coordinated home repair ecosystems across nonprofit organizations, government agencies, funders, health and human service providers, and other partners.
Panel #2: Barriers to Access — Heirs' Property & More
Moderator: Sarah Stein, Georgia State University College of Law
Panelists:
- Dominique Ellis — LISC Atlanta
- Heather Way — University of Texas School of Law
For many homeowners, tangled titles, heirs'; property, and other ownership issues can prevent access to home repair assistance, disaster recovery resources, financing, and other programs intended to preserve homeownership.
This panel will examine how these barriers affect homeowners and explore legal, policy, and programmatic approaches being used across the country.
Homeowner Experience Lunch Panel
Moderator: Lisa Flowers, House Proud
This conversation will center the voices and lived experiences of homeowners—including the challenges they have encountered maintaining their homes, navigating repair programs, finding resources, and working with organizations designed to assist them.
Their experiences will provide important context for the day's conversations and help ensure that the solutions developed throughout the Lab remain grounded in the needs and realities of homeowners.
Panel #3: Capacity Challenges
Moderator: Mariama N'Diaye, City of Atlanta
Panelists:
- Lisa Flowers — House Proud
- Neighborly Representative — TBD
- Kate Maitland — City of Raleigh, NC
Home repair organizations are being asked to respond to significant and growing needs while navigating challenges related to funding, staffing, contractor availability, program administration, technology, compliance, and organizational capacity.
This panel will examine the operational challenges facing nonprofit home repair providers and explore approaches that can help organizations strengthen their capacity and expand their impact.
Why Attend?
The Home Repair Solutions Lab is designed for professionals who want more than ideas—they want actionable strategies and meaningful connections.
Participants will:
- Learn from national experts and field leaders
- Engage directly with peers facing similar challenges
- Explore innovative funding and program models
- Contribute to solutions that can shape the future of home repair
- Build relationships with funders, researchers, and community partners
- Leave with practical tools, resources, and next steps for implementation
Designed for Housing Practitioners
Whether you lead a home repair nonprofit, manage housing programs, oversee funding initiatives, conduct research, or support community development efforts, the Solutions Lab offers an opportunity to engage with the most pressing issues facing the field today.
By bringing together data, lived experience, and diverse perspectives, we create a collaborative environment where ideas become action and partnerships become lasting solutions.
Join the Conversation
The future of home repair depends on our ability to learn from one another, challenge conventional thinking, and work together to expand access to safe, healthy housing.
Join fellow housing practitioners and partners as we explore what's possible—and build the solutions our communities need.
Panel recordings and a full summary of the 2024 Detroit Home Repair Solutions Lab are available through the Van Dusen Leadership Forum.
Registration Options
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Registration Options
|
Price |
|---|---|
|
Member Ticket
|
$500.00 |
|
Non-Member Ticket
Registration Ends 10/5/26 at 11:59 PM EDT
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$500.00 |
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Housing Solutions Lab Day Pass
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$200.00 |
Home Repair Solutions Lab - October 5, 2026
Solutions Lab Panel #1: Collaboration and Coordination
Moderator: Freyja Harris
Panelists:
- Ashley Zuverink - Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
- Tiffany Vantino - Enterprise Community Partners
- Michael Mogensen — City of Cleveland, Ohio
- Vona Cox — Meals on Wheels, Atlanta
This panel will explore how communities can build stronger, more coordinated home repair ecosystems across nonprofit organizations, government agencies, funders, health and human service providers, and other partners.
Solutions Lab Panel #2: Barriers to Access — Heirs' Property & More
Moderator: Sarah Stein, Georgia State University College of Law
Panelists:
- Chanel Starks - LISC Cleveland
- Heather Way — University of Texas School of Law
- Lena Sherman - Freedman Green Bank & Trust.
For many homeowners, tangled titles, heirs'; property, and other ownership issues can prevent access to home repair assistance, disaster recovery resources, financing, and other programs intended to preserve homeownership.
This panel will examine how these barriers affect homeowners and explore legal, policy, and programmatic approaches being used across the country.
Solutions Lab Homeowner Experience Lunch Panel
Moderator: Lisa Flowers, House Proud
This conversation will center the voices and lived experiences of homeowners—including the challenges they have encountered maintaining their homes, navigating repair programs, finding resources, and working with organizations designed to assist them.
Their experiences will provide important context for the day's conversations and help ensure that the solutions developed throughout the Lab remain grounded in the needs and realities of homeowners.
Solutions Lab Panel #3: Capacity Challenges
Moderator: Mariama N'Diaye, City of Atlanta
Panelists:
- Lisa Flowers — House Proud
- Kate Maitland — City of Raleigh, NC
Home repair organizations are being asked to respond to significant and growing needs while navigating challenges related to funding, staffing, contractor availability, program administration, technology, compliance, and organizational capacity.
This panel will examine the operational challenges facing nonprofit home repair providers and explore approaches that can help organizations strengthen their capacity and expand their impact.
All solutions lab panels will be followed by small group discussion, shared experience, and collaborative solution brainstorming.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Plenary Sessions - October 6, 2026
Morning: Home Repair: Federal Solutions for a National Crisis - Brian Larkin, Jeremey Newberg, and Freyja Harris
Afternoon: The Other Housing Crisis: Ending the Deterioration and Loss of Affordable Homes - Ruth Ann Norton, Heather Zygmontowicz, Alan Mallach, Todd Swanstrom
Breakouts #1
Track: Construction & Maintenance
Building Credentials: 10 Certifications for Housing Rehab Practitioners
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Track: Services & Organizational Development
Appalachia Service Project Rapid Disaster Recovery Program
Jen Hale and Ani Boyd
Track: Advocacy & Resources
Real Intelligence + Artificial Intelligence = Nonprofit Success
Ginger Ferguson
Breakouts #2
Track: Construction & Maintenance
Prepared to Serve: Business Continuity Planning for Your Nonprofit
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Track: Services & Organizational Development
Whole Home Performance: From Fragmented Funding to Coordinated Capital. Jeremey Newberg
Track: Advocacy & Resources
Accessibility Ratings
Carolyn Sithong
Breakouts #3
Track: Construction & Maintenance
Basement and Crawlspace Assessments from the Ground Up
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Track: Services & Organizational Development
From Fragmentation to Collaboration: Reimagining the Home Repair Ecosystem
Michael Mogensen, Jasmine Worles, Kate Maitland, and Cortnie Squirewell
Track: Advocacy & Resources
Neighborhood-Sized Repairs
Brett Meyer
Breakouts #4
Track: Construction & Maintenance
Ventilation Basics: Dealing with the Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Track: Services & Organizational Development
Contractor Capacity Building: A Purposed Pilot Program
Kevin Poe
Track: Advocacy & Resources
Data Collection for the Over-Stretched Team
Tyler Ferguson
Meet the Speakers
Click here to view a full PDF agenda.
October 5th: Housing Solutions Lab
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This full-day, interactive session is designed to bring together leaders from across the home repair ecosystem to tackle some of the field's most pressing challenges. The day will feature three panel discussions, each followed by facilitated roundtable "solution groups" where attendees will work together to address a specific question related to the panel topic.
Our goal is to generate fresh perspectives, foster cross-sector collaboration, and identify practical strategies that strengthen the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the home repair ecosystem.
Schedule
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Panel #1: Collaboration and Coordination
Moderator: Freyja Harris
Panelists:
- Tiffany Vantino — Ashley Zuverink, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
- Michael Mogensen — City of Cleveland, Ohio; Bloomberg Fellow
- Vona Cox — Meals on Wheels, Atlanta
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Solutions Group Breakout #1
Attendees will collaborate in smaller groups to discuss the panel, share experiences, and develop new solutions.
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Panel #2: Barriers to Access — Heirs' Property & More
Moderator: Sarah Stein, Georgia State University College of Law
Panelists:
- Dominique Ellis — LISC Atlanta
- Heather Way — University of Texas School of Law
- Meagan Davis — Housing Assistance Council
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Homeowner Experience Lunch Panel
Moderator: Lisa Flowers, House Proud
Hear directly from Metro Atlanta homeowners about their experiences navigating the homeownership and home repair journey.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Solutions Group Breakout #2
Attendees will collaborate in smaller groups to discuss the panel, share experiences, and develop new solutions.
2:35 PM – 3:35 PM
Panel #3: Capacity Challenges
Moderator: Mariama N'Diaye, City of Atlanta
Panelists:
- Lisa Flowers — House Proud
- Neighborly Representative — TBD
- Kate Maitland — City of Raleigh, NC
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Solutions Group Breakout #3
Attendees will collaborate in smaller groups to discuss the panel, share experiences, and develop new solutions.
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Sharing Out & Closing Remarks
October 6th: Conference Sessions
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
On October 6th, we will have usual plenary and break-out sessions covering topics similar to our past conference that touch on things from the nuts-and-bolts of doing repairs to how to use research to make the case for home repair funding and program improvements.
Breakouts #1
Construction & Maintenance
Building Credentials: 10 Certifications for Housing Rehab Practitioners
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Services & Organizational Development
Appalachia Service Project Rapid Disaster Recovery Program
Chris Schroder
Advocacy & Resources
Real Intelligence + Artificial Intelligence = Nonprofit Success
Ginger Ferguson
Breakouts #2
Construction & Maintenance
Prepared to Serve: Business Continuity Planning for Your Nonprofit
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Services & Organizational Development
Whole Home Performance (WHP): New Strategies to Address Legacy Challenges
Jeremy Newberg
Advocacy & Resources
Accessibility Ratings
Carolyn Stihong
Breakouts #3
Construction & Maintenance
Basement and Crawlspace Assessments from the Ground Up
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Services & Organizational Development
Home Repair Enhanced: Bloomberg Fellow Panel
Michael Mogensen, Jasmine Worles, Kate Maitland, and Cortnie Squirewell
Advocacy & Resources
Neighborhood-Sized Repairs
Brett Meyer
Breakouts #4
Construction & Maintenance
Ventilation Basics: Dealing with the Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Jayne Windham and Armand Magnelli
Services & Organizational Development
Contractor Capacity Building: A Purposed Pilot Program
Kevin Poe
Advocacy & Resources
Data Collection for the Over-Stretched Team
Tyler Ferguson
Group Rate and Hotel Information
A discounted room block has been secured at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, our conference host hotel. We encourage you to book your room as soon as possible, as availability is limited and the group rate is only available while rooms remain in the block.
Next Step: Reserve Your Hotel Room
A discounted room block has been secured at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, our conference host hotel. We encourage you to book your room as soon as possible, as availability is limited and the group rate is only available while rooms remain in the block.
Hotel reservation details and the booking link are included in your registration confirmation e-mail.
Here's your reservation link your guest can use to make reservations:
Book your group rate for Coalition for Home Repair Reframe Conference Room Block
You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event.
Event Summary:
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
- Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel for 224.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Monday, September 14, 2026
Book your group rate for Coalition for Home Repair Reframe Conference Room Block
If you do not see the group rate, please confirm the dates are 10/4 - 10/6.
FAQs
Access Whova
Whova will be our conference platform for accessing the schedule, speaker information, attendee connections, announcements, and other event details.
To get started:
- Download the Whova app on your mobile device or access Whova online.
- Sign in using the same email address you used to register for ReFrame.
- Search for ReFrame Conference 2026 and join the event.
- Once you're in, you can build your personal agenda, explore sessions and speakers, and connect with fellow attendees.
We’ll continue adding information to Whova as we get closer to the conference, so be sure to check back regularly.
Explore the Whova Attendee Guide.
Get our official event app,
Get the most out of the app and have a more productive experience!
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NAVIGATE the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data. Access useful information like ridesharing and local attractions through the Community Board
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NETWORK effectively. Plan whom to meet by exploring attendee profiles and sending out messages
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PARTICIPATE in event activities through session likes, comments, ratings, live polling, tweeting, and more
The hotel has recommended the Alexan on 8th garage for self-parking. It is located right next door to the Renaissance.
Parking rates provided by the hotel are:
- Early Bird Rate: $10 between 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- 1 Day: $25
- 2 Days: $40
- 3 Days: $55
For attendees who are not staying overnight, the Early Bird rate may be the best option.
When you arrive at the garage, there are QR codes available to scan and pay for parking.
I included the link below with additional details. It also shows other nearby parking options, but Alexan on 8th appears to be the closest.
Early bird pricing is available through August 14th, 2026.
Thank you, partners:
For More Information:
