Smith’s Affordable Housing Finance Conference
March 16-17, 2027, Hotel Monteleone — New Orleans, Louisiana
Smith's Affordable Housing Conference starts at the doorstep of single-family and multifamily homes on Main Street.
Since 1992, Smith’s Research & Gradings has been covering the U.S. affordable housing market.
Smith’s Affordable Housing Finance Conference starts at the doorstep of single family and multi-family homes on Main Street and extends to everyone on Wall Street and lenders at mutual funds, hedge funds, insurance companies and commercial banks.
If it’s important to you, it’s a focus of Smith’s Affordable Housing Finance Conference.
Time and Place
March 16-17, 2027, Hotel Monteleone — New Orleans, Louisiana
Agenda
Tuesday, March 16, 2027
7:30 am
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Smith’s Housing Breakfast
8:30 am
WELCOME
9:00 am
2027 AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUTLOOK — MARKET THEMES & CREDIT OUTLOOK
This “state of the market” panel sets the stage for the 2027 affordable housing finance conference. Panelists will examine where issuance volume is headed, how rates and the yield curve are shaping refundings and new-money deals, and what credit spreads are signaling across HFA, single-family, and multifamily bonds. The discussion will also cover key market technicals—supply and demand, fund flows, and buyer participation—and close with a look at volume cap pressures and what they mean for deal execution, production, and program capacity in a higher-cost environment.
9:45 am
FOCUS ON SINGLE FAMILY
This panel focuses on the state of single-family housing finance and the outlook for State HFA programs in a shifting market environment. Panelists will review trends in single-family bond volume, downpayment assistance programs, and how changing borrower demographics are shaping program design and demand.
10:30 am
COFFEE NETWORKING BREAK
10:45 am
LEGAL AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS — Navigating Change in Affordable Housing Finance
This panel explores the legal and regulatory developments shaping affordable housing finance and the practical implications for issuers, investors, and program administrators. Panelists will examine evolving federal and state policy, tax law considerations, compliance and disclosure trends, and how regulatory interpretation is influencing deal structures, execution, and risk allocation. The discussion will also address emerging issues affecting tax-exempt and taxable bonds, housing tax credits, volume cap administration, and program oversight.
11:30 am
HOT TOPICS IN HOUSING FINANCE
This fast-paced panel tackles the questions and innovations shaping today’s housing finance conversation. Panelists will explore emerging policy debates. The discussion will also dive into program mechanics, including recycling and cross-calling, PAC bonds, and the implications of a renewed TBA market. Expect a practical, market-focused look at what’s gaining traction, what’s controversial, and what could materially change housing finance programs in the near term.
12:15 pm
LUNCHEON
Sponsorship Opportunity
Smith’s Affordable Housing Finance Lifetime Achievement Award
— Recognizing Contributions and Achievements in the Affordable Housing Finance Market
2027 Lifetime Achievement Award: Howard Zucker, Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP
1:30 pm
TRENDS IN MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING
This panel takes a sharp look at how HFAs are adapting in a tighter multifamily market. Panelists will cover how volume cap is being stretched through smarter allocation and creative structuring, how the shift to 25% tax credits is changing deal economics and how developers are responding. The discussion will also spotlight innovative multifamily programs designed to keep projects moving and affordability intact despite higher costs and limited capacity.
2:15 pm
WHAT DO INVESTORS CARE ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
The panel will explore the growing prominence of taxable housing in HFA financing, examining key investment considerations across various structures including serials, terms, and PACs. Panelists will share their approach to evaluating relative value between different HFAs and programs, with particular focus on how quickly some of the higher coupon serials and terms could prepay in a falling rate environment. The panelists will also explore if there could be market fatigue if taxable housing issuance continues to increase.
3:00 pm
COFFEE NETWORKING BREAK
3:15 pm
TO BE ANNOUNCED
4:00 pm
DISSECTING THE DEAL: Structuring for Today, Preserving Flexibility for Tomorrow
We’ll hear from the front lines how dynamics work in the market when putting together a housing bond transaction. Panelists will discuss how participants work to get the best prices and the lowest cost of issuance; MRB vs TBA; how buyers view housing bond transactions; and we’ll get a better understanding of why housing bonds may be the No. 1 performing sector this year.
5:00 pm
DAY ONE CONCLUDES
6:00 pm Cocktail Reception
7:00 pm Dinner
Wednesday, March 17, 2027
8:00 am
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Smith’s Housing Breakfast
8:45 am
OPENING REMARKS
Terence Smith, CEO — Smith’s Research & Gradings
9:15 am
TO BE ANNOUNCED
10:00 am
TO BE ANNOUNCED
11:00 am
INVESTOR ROUNDTABLE
Since its inception in 1992, Smith’s has been at the leading edge, focusing on event risk factors and possible outcomes for the future. With three decades of data and experience, Smith’s offers event-driven research that goes well beyond traditional measures of credit quality and risk.
12:00 pm
CONFERENCE ADJOURNS
Registration
Registration Fees
$1,550 per person Standard Rate: (Broker/Dealer & Underwriting Firms, Sell-Side Firms, Commercial Banks, Financial Advisors, Attorneys, Credit Enhancers, Corporate Trust, Rating Agencies) $850 per person Investor Rate: (Mutual Funds, ETFs, Hedge Funds, Asset Managers, Portfolio Managers) $500 per person Issuer/Governmental Rate Registration Add-On: $125 Conference Dinner Guest Registration fee includes course materials, breakfast, lunch, and breaks during the conference. Payment by credit card, company check or personal check is required prior to the event.Group Discounts
Groups of 3 or more Standard Rate — $1,395 per person. Groups of 3 or more Investors — $765 per person. Groups of 3 or more Issuer/Governmental Rate — $450 per person.Cancellations
Cancellations are subject to a $100 service fee. Cancellations will be accepted up to 30 days prior to the Conference in order to receive a refund. Cancellations after the 30 day cut-off will receive a registration credit toward a future Smith’s conference program. Credits will be issued at the paid registration rate and will be valid for 12 months. Registration credit requests must be received by the last day of the conference.Substitutions
Substitutions from your company will be accepted any time prior to the conference.Program Cancellation
In the event that Smith's Research & Gradings cancels a scheduled program, all registrants will be notified in writing via email. Registration fees will be refunded. In the event that the scheduled program is canceled, Smith's Research & Gradings cannot be held liable for non-refundable transportation costs. In the case of inclement weather, or acts of God, if the scheduled program takes place, the registration fee is not refundable.Complaint Resolution
Address any complaints to Pamela Kilbourn, Smith's Research & Gradings, P.O. Box 1195, Great Falls, VA 22066; email to pamkilbourn@smithsresearch.net or phone (571) 299-4954. Complaints will be handled in as timely a manner as possible.Privacy Policy & Records Retention
Smith's Research & Gradings values your privacy. Smith's retains information submitted during the registration process with regard to your name, company and contact information. We will never willfully sell, lease, or rent any of your personally identifiable information to any third party As a Smith's Conference attendee, you will receive a complimentary edition of Smith's Research & Gradings — the leading independent source for credit opinions.Registration
Dress Code: Business Casual
Register by Phone: (571) 299-4954; Email: smiths@smithsresearch.net ; Online: Smith's Store Mail: TMS Holdings, Inc., P.O. Box 1195, Great Falls, VA 22066Payment
Payment is required prior to the conference. We accept company or personal checks; MC, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards or, via PayPal using all major credit or debit cards. To pay by check, please contact us via email: smiths@smithsresearch.net or by phone.Venue
Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
A block of rooms is being held for Smith's Research & Gradings - Smith's Affordable Housing Finance Conference at a rate of $239 per night until Monday, February 15, 2027.
Follow this link for reservations: Reservations
*Guests requiring additional nights should contact Reservations directly. Reservations Department is available seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT) at 504-523-3341 or 800-535-9595.
Meet our sponsors
Smith’s Affordable Housing Finance Conference starts at the doorstep of single family and multi-family homes on Main Street and extends to everyone on Wall Street and lenders at mutual funds, hedge funds, insurance companies and commercial banks.
If it’s important to you, it’s a focus of Smith’s Affordable Housing Finance Conference.
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