Greensboro Housing Authority (GHA) hosted the Southeast Regional Convening of the RAD Collaborative September 11 - 13, 2019.

This three-day event offered an opportunity for an in-depth look into repositioning of housing, discussions on Section 18, voluntary conversion, and new RAD provisions. The meeting featured engaging discussions with HUD, including the Director of the Office of Recapitalization, Tom Davis and the Director of Affordable Housing Transaction Division, Greg Byrne. Additionally, panels featured professionals from three state housing finance agencies, industry partners, and a wide range of RAD practitioners, including housing authorities. Although the convening was for all PHAs, there was a special emphasis on smaller agencies—many of whom had questions about how to make repositioning work at their agency. The convening also provided networking opportunities and the chance to ask questions about the realities of conversion. Over 200 attendees from across the region and country attended this informative meeting.

The RAD program was instrumental in GHA’s making renovations to over 1,700 units of traditional public housing and converting them to Project-Based Vouchers. As an early adopter of the program in 2013, GHA has utilized RAD to its fullest extent and has allowed the agency to improve the state of affordable housing in the Greensboro community.

GHA hosted a reception at Greensboro’s International Civil Rights Museum, housed in a former Woolworth’s Department Store. It was the site of the 1960 Greensboro Sit-In, a landmark civil rights event. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the lunch counter where four students from North Carolina A&T University protested racial segregation. Guests learned about the legacy and significance of the Greensboro Sit-In movement and its importance to the local community and country.

GHA is thankful for the opportunity to host such a beneficial event and share about RAD experiences to help other agencies with their conversions.