2025 Suburban Housing Conference

April 30, 2025, Westfield

HAND’s 2025 Suburban Housing Conference is set for 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield.

View the Agenda

About

The 2025 Suburban Housing Conference, presented by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, is a half-day event focused on turning housing conversations into action.

This year’s theme, “Building the Future: Housing Solutions for Thriving Suburbs,” highlights practical, local strategies for addressing housing challenges across growing communities. Topics will include zoning reform, faith-based development models, employer-driven housing solutions, and how changing the narrative can help build public support.

New this year: Real-time engagement through Slido will give attendees the chance to participate in live polling and shape the conversation.

Join us to explore proven solutions, learn from local leaders, and take steps toward more inclusive, attainable housing in the suburbs of Indianapolis.

Why Attend?

Engaging Panels – Learn from real success stories and proven solutions, featuring local experts working to expand housing options in Central Indiana.
Keynote Address: Sarah Armour-Jones from the Housing Narrative Lab will share strategies for shifting the narrative around affordable housing and fostering public support.
Public Involvement & Policy Discussions – Discover how local governments are driving housing solutions through zoning reform, land donations, and incentive programs that encourage diverse housing types.
Networking & Collaboration – Connect with housing professionals, elected officials, and industry leaders to build partnerships and take action in your community.

What Past Attendees Are Saying

“A good variety so you learned about a lot of different areas of housing”

“Great speakers. Provided specific info & interesting trends”

“Exceeded expectations”

“Opened eyes to a wide new way of understanding aspects of housing I’ve not considered previously”

“An excellent job of educating on the various, multi-pronged issues facing the challenges of attainable housing in our county.”

“Great informative presentation. Great to see all the collaboration between community partners.”

“Excellent event – great job!!”

“Everything was great. Glad I came.”

“This was eye opening. Thank you for doing this.”

“Love this every year!!”

What to Expect

Keynote: Housing Narrative Lab

Learn how to build public support for the many types of housing our community needs. This interactive keynote will explore how to lead with shared values, connect with your audience, and share a vision of the future that inspires and engages.

Speaker
Sarah Armour-Jones, Deputy Director

Panel 1: Public Involvement Drives Change

Local governments are taking the lead in housing solutions. Learn how zoning reform, public land use, and proactive policy tools are creating new opportunities across the suburbs of Indianapolis.

Topics include: Missing Middle housing, developer incentives, public land donations, pre-approved building plans, and Noblesville’s Levinson project.

Moderator
Bryan Stumpf, Studio Lead, Community Development, HWC Engineering

Panelists
Matt Gentry, Mayor of Lebanon

Mia Gutierrez, Associate Director of Real Estate Development, Intend Indiana

Christine Owens, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Cumberland

Sarah Reed, AICP, Community Development Director, City of Noblesville

Panel 2: Charity Begins with Home

As development costs rise, mission-driven organizations are stepping in to fill the gap. This panel explores how nonprofit, faith-based, and philanthropic groups are working together to create solutions.

Topics include: Impact investing, land donations, church-led development, fiscal sponsorship, and multi-year grantmaking.

Moderator
Aaron Gore, Director of Local Government Relations, United Way of Central Indiana

Panelists

Andy Gable, Associate Pastor, Cicero Christian Church

Jim Morris, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis

Michael Osborne, Principal, i3 Community Housing Solutions

Danielle Stiles-Polk, President, Hamilton County Community Foundation

Panel 3: Housing Is an Economic Issue

ousing is essential infrastructure for economic development. This session highlights how employers, EDCs, and workforce advocates are advancing housing as a growth strategy.

Topics include: Employer-led housing models, modular construction, public-private partnerships, and housing as a talent retention tool.

Moderator

Andrea Davis, Executive Director, HAND Inc.

Panelists

Brad Coffing, Director of Housing Insights, MIBOR Realtor Association

Andrea Kern, CEO, Boone EDC

Karen Simon, Talent Acquisition Manager, GXO Logistics

Ron Walker, President, CFC Properties and Workforce Housing LLC