Setting the tone for the day, hear a national perspective on the affordable housing crisis and  how the critical shortage is driving people into homelessness who historically fall outside of the  traditional homeless population indicators. Learn how the housing crisis is breaking the  homeless response system across the country. 

Panelists will explore the disconnect between policy intentions and real-world implementation – why thousands of people remain unhoused despite having rental assistance, how land-use regulations stall the creation of deeply affordable units, and which policy shifts are necessary to break the gridlock. The discussion will focus on actionable reforms, drawing from local and national strategies to unlock the full potential of affordable and supportive housing as the most effective tool for preventing and ending homelessness.

Panelists will examine the barriers that prevent people from transitioning out of shelter and into permanent housing, despite the availability of vouchers and supportive housing programs. The discussion will unpack the bottlenecks in the placement process, from administrative delays to landlord resistance, and highlight the site-level strategies that have successfully accelerated housing placements. Panelists will also explore what happens after placement—why housing retention remains challenging for many, how supportive services can prevent returns to homelessness, and a special guest will share lived experience with the voucher process.

Sit down with Jennifer Stolo (Robert Craig Films) to discuss No Address, a powerful film that  exposes the realities of homelessness in America. The conversation will explore the inspiration  behind the film, the challenges of portraying homelessness authentically, and the role of media in  shaping public perception and policy solutions. This discussion will offer a compelling look at how  storytelling can drive awareness and action, highlighting the film’s impact and the urgent need for  housing-focused solutions. 

Focus: Journalist and author Brian Goldstone, with HELP USA’s Chief Operating Officer and lead  researcher Danny Farrell, explores the growing crisis of working Americans experiencing  homelessness, drawing from Goldstone’s book There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in  America. They will examine the economic instability, rising housing costs, and systemic failures that  have left millions without a home, challenging conventional narratives about who becomes  homeless and why. The conversation will shed light on urgent, real-world solutions that move beyond  short-term fixes to create lasting change.

Panelists will explore scalable, innovative housing solutions that move beyond traditional  development. The discussion will highlight new construction technologies, corporate-backed  investment funds, and adaptive reuse as strategies to expand supply and accelerate the transition  from homelessness to housing stability. Speakers will examine barriers to scaling housing  production, the role of private capital, and lessons from national models in modular housing, rapid  deployment, and public-private partnerships. The conversation will center on actionable solutions  NYC can implement now to build more housing, faster.