2026 Suburban Housing Conference

April 23, 2026, Westfield

HAND’s 2026 Suburban Housing Conference is set for 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield.

Registration Opens Soon

About

The 2026 Suburban Housing Conference, presented by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, is a half-day event focused on moving housing systems from planning to real-world impact.

This year’s theme, From Plans to Places: Turning Housing Systems into Real Homes, centers on how communities can navigate complex housing systems and turn good ideas into practical, lasting solutions.

Bringing together local governments, employers, nonprofits, lenders, faith organizations, and community leaders, the conference will explore how policy, land, financing, and resident stability intersect to shape housing outcomes across Hamilton, Boone, and Tipton counties.

New this year, participants will engage in Implementation Lab table discussions, working alongside peers to examine real challenges, share local experience, and identify actionable next steps.

Join us for a morning of shared learning, honest conversation, and collaborative problem-solving focused on strengthening our region’s housing future.

Why Attend?

  • Practical Learning & Real-World Insight: Hear directly from local leaders and practitioners about what it takes to move housing projects from concept to completion, and what obstacles communities face along the way.

  • Systems-Level Perspective: Gain a clearer understanding of how zoning, land access, financing, and resident support systems work together, and where targeted changes can make the greatest impact.

  • Implementation Labs: Participate in facilitated table discussions focused on key housing systems, including policy and zoning, land and partnerships, financing and incentives, and housing stability and eviction prevention.

  • Regional Collaboration: Connect with elected officials, employers, nonprofit partners, and housing professionals from across Central Indiana to build relationships and strengthen cross-county partnerships.

  • Action-Oriented Takeaways: Leave with concrete ideas, new connections, and practical next steps you can apply in your community.

What to Expect

A Shared Understanding of Housing Systems

The morning begins with a clear, local snapshot of how housing systems function across Hamilton, Boone, and Tipton counties.

Participants will gain insight into how policy, land use, financing, and resident stability intersect, and how these systems shape what gets built, where, and for whom.

This opening segment ensures everyone starts the day with a common foundation and shared language.

Real-World Perspectives and Case Studies

Next, you’ll hear directly from local leaders, practitioners, and partners who are navigating housing development and preservation in real time.

Through moderated discussion and case studies, speakers will share:

  • What it takes to move projects from concept to completion

  • Common obstacles and misconceptions

  • Lessons learned from local efforts

  • Strategies that have proven effective

This segment brings transparency and practical insight to complex processes.

Collaborative Problem-Solving and Action Planning

The final portion of the conference centers on facilitated table discussions and a working lunch focused on implementation.

Participants will work alongside peers to:

  • Examine real challenges

  • Share local experience

  • Identify partnership opportunities

  • Outline next steps

The conference concludes by connecting ideas to action and encouraging continued collaboration beyond the event.

Sponsorship

Support the Conference

The Suburban Housing Conference brings together elected officials, employers, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to advance practical housing solutions across Central Indiana.

Sponsorship helps offset conference costs, support high-quality programming, and ensure broad participation.

Sponsors play a key role in strengthening regional collaboration and advancing long-term housing stability.

✔ Demonstrate community leadership
✔ Connect with regional decision-makers
✔ Support bipartisan, solutions-focused dialogue
✔ Invest in lasting impact

Learn About Sponsorship

Complimentary Registration for Elected Officials

To encourage broad participation and informed decision-making, HAND offers complimentary registration for elected officials and key public leaders from Hamilton, Boone, and Tipton counties.

This ensures the people shaping local policy can participate in the conversation without cost barriers.

You may qualify if you are a:

  • Mayor

  • Council member

  • County commissioner

  • Township trustee

  • Planning commissioner

Request Complimentary Registration

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!!”

Meet the Speakers

Coming Soon