WICARH - Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing

Spring Training
2025-05-14 - 2025-05-15
WI-CARH Spring Training
May 14-15, 2025
Register to attend
Join your housing colleagues for the 2025 Spring Training sessions sponsored by WI-CARH. Wisconsin Council for Affordable & Rural Housing (WI-CARH) is proud to team up with US Housing Consultants for their expertise and excellent training services.
Gary Kirkman from US Housing Consultants returns to Wisconsin to be our featured speaker for the full two days. Gary will spend the first day on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA). All MFH tenant certifications effective on or after July 1, 2025, must comply with HOTMA requirements. HOTMA has undergone many changes since it was signed into law. Take advantage of the WI-CARH Spring Training to make sure that you up to speed and ready to implement HOTMA the right way on July 1, 2025.
Gary will spend the second day devoted to Fair Housing Accommodations and Modifications (animals, live-in aides, etc.).
Topics that will be covered include the following.

HOTMA Eligibility Essentials – HOTMA IS HERE!

HUD’s Final Rule on HOTMA results in massive changes in how we determine household eligibility. While this is a HUD rule, it is critical to understand that HOTMA not only impacts HUD Programs but also has a major impact on other affordable housing programs.

Prepare for the Changes to LIHTC, HOME, NHTF, and RD Programs

While there are many training options out there regarding HOTMA, this session does not focus only on HUD programs, but Gary Kirkman, Director of Compliance Training for US Housing Consultants, will provide you with a comprehensive and FUN training while providing a detailed review of the HOTMA changes and how such changes impact the determination of annual income when establishing household eligibility for the following major affordable housing programs:

HUD Multifamily Housing
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Rural Development Housing Programs
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Housing Trust Funds

Topics include, but are not limited to:

Changes regarding the treatment of Foster Children & Adults
Changes to the Determination of Annual Income·

Safe Harbor Income Determination
De Minimis Errors
In-Kind Donations from a Food Bank or Similar Organization
Child Support/Alimony
Student Financial Assistance

Changes to the Treatment of Household Assets

Personal Property
Trust Funds
Retirement Accounts (Excluded Asset)
Imputing Asset Income
Asset Limitation (Section 8 Only (including 202/8))

Changes to the Determination of Adjusted Income (HUD, RD & HOME Only)

Child Care Hardship
Disability Assistance and Medical Expenses Phased-In & General
Hardship Relief

Changes to Determining Annual Income at Recertification for HUD Properties (HUD MFH Only)
Changes to Conducting Interim Recertifications (HUD MFH Only)
Verification Methods (HUD MFH Only)

Verification Hierarchy
Verification of Excluded Income

Fair Housing Accommodations/Modifications (animals, live-in aides, etc.)

Gary Kirkman, Director of Compliance Training with US Housing Consultants, will speak about reasonable accommodation and modification requests that owners/agents often receive when managing a property in this training session. What’s the difference between the two requests, who is responsible for paying for approved requests and can you deny requests?
Topics will include:

An overview of Service Animals/Assistance Animals
An overview of requests for reasonable accommodations and modifications (who pays for the accommodations/modifications, and when accommodations and modifications can be denied)
Live-In Aides

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

8:00-8:30 – Registration
8:30 – Noon – Session
Noon – 1:00 pm – Lunch on Your Own
1:00 – 4:00 pm – Session

Thursday, May 15, 2025

8:00-12:00 Noon – Session
Noon – 1:00 pm – Lunch on Your Own
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Session

Fees
WI-CARH Members: $450 or three or more at $400
Non-Members: $485 or three or more at $450
Payment
Payment can be made via PayPal or by check. Please make check payable to: WI-CARH, P.O. Box 258098, Madison, WI 53725. Sorry, credit card payments are not accepted.
Location of Spring Training and Hotel
The spring training will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 4402 East Washington Ave., Madison WI 53704.
Hotel Information:
Individual Booking: Guests can call the hotel directly at (608) 244-4703 or Hilton reservations at 800-445-8667, mentioning the Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing or code 906. Alternatively, they can book online at Wisconsin Council for Affordable and Rural Housing Reservation Booking
Please book by April 13, 2025 to be guaranteed the group rate.
Register to attend
Meet the Speaker – Gary Kirkman

Gary Kirkman, Director of Compliance Training, US Housing Consultants
Mr. Gary Kirkman has acquired over 19 years of valuable leadership experience within the affordable housing industry and now serves as the Director of Compliance Training for US Housing Consultants.
Having started in the industry as a Regional Property Manager, Mr. Kirkman managed Rural Development and HUD properties before being promoted to Training Specialist, where he was responsible for overseeing multiple affordable communities while training personnel on the affordable housing programs.
Mr. Kirkman later became a Training Director and was responsible for developing company policies and procedures and overseeing the training program. In that position, Mr. Kirkman aided owners and developers in speaking at town councils and public meetings to establish new affordable housing properties in the needed areas.
Prior to becoming a compliance trainer, Mr. Kirkman was an award-winning Community Manager and was awarded Best Overall Compliance in Affordable Housing for the Southeast Region for a property management company portfolio.
Mr. Kirkman is an experienced and engaging public speaker. He conducts public and private trainings and speaks at housing conferences providing training on all major affordable housing programs.
Mr. Kirkman has received praise from former colleagues who have stated, “He has the ability to learn complex compliance requirements and teach them in a manner that others can learn” and “Because of his positive disposition, his reflective way of operating, and all of the character traits that make him so special, Gary’s questions never go unanswered, and his searches always bring him to exciting new discoveries.”
Mr. Kirkman’s areas of expertise focus on the following programs:

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program
HUD Multifamily Housing Programs
USDA RD Rental Housing Program
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Fair Housing and Accessibility
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Be a Sponsor at the Spring Training
You are invited to join us as a Sponsor at the 2025 Spring Training. Please consider signing up today to be a Sponsor and help make this education and training opportunity affordable to all in the rural housing industry. Please click here for more information and to complete the form.
Thank you to the Spring Training Sponsors
Gold Sponsor

SVA Certified Public Accountants

Wisconsin Management Company

Horizon Management Group, Inc.

Silver Sponsor

Sid Grinker Restoration

Bronze Sponsor

Simply Computer Software, Inc.

25th Annual Conference
2024-10-24 | Glacier Canyon Conference Center at the Wilderness, 45 Hillman Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965, United States
Join your housing colleagues for the 25th Annual WI-CARH Conference on Thursday, October 24 at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
Management of affordable housing is not easy. Dealing with property issues, budgets, and compliance issues are concerns for all in affordable housing. You will have a chance to network with your peers. There will be a variety of exhibitors with services and products that can assist you with your housing operations. Who should attend:This conference will be relevant to property managers, owners, developers, housing authorities, decision-makers, and anyone involved in affordable and rural housing. The conference will address the timely issues and topics that matter to you. Highlights will include:

Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Updates
Rural Development Funding Updates and Decoupling
Opportunities Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Technical Assistance For RRH 515 Transfers
Funding Opportunities Through the Federal Home Loan Bank-Chicago
Federal Funding Updates for Housing
Lease and Legal Updates for Wisconsin
WI-CARH Awards for Property and Maintenance Excellence
Help WI-CARH celebrate the 25th anniversary of our housing organization

Tentative Schedule

7:30-8:30 am – Registration and Breakfast with the Sponsors and Exhibitors
8:30-10:15 am – Sessions
10:15-10:45 am – Break with the Sponsors and Exhibitors
10:45-12:00 pm – Sessions
12:00 -1:15 pm – Lunch and Awards Ceremony
1:15 -2:45 pm – Session
2:45-3:00 pm – Break with the Sponsors and Exhibitors
3:00-4:30 pm – Sessions
4:30-6:00 pm – Social Hour Reception

Fees

WI-CARH Members: $245 or three or more at $190
Non-Members: $400 or three or more at $350

Payment Payment can be made via PayPal or by check. Please make check payable to: WI-CARH, P.O. Box 258098, Madison, WI 53725. Sorry, credit card payments are not available. Location and Hotel Information The 25th annual conference will be held at Wilderness Resort – Glacier Canyon Lodge, 45 Hillman Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965. A block of rooms is available at a discounted rate of $119 per night. Please call them at 1-800-867-9453 by Monday, September 23, 2024, and tell them you are with the Leader #989234.
Register Now to Attend
Be a Sponsor and or Exhibitor at the 25th Annual Conference You are invited to join us as a Sponsor/and or Exhibitor at the 25th Annual Conference. Please consider signing up today to help make this education and training opportunity affordable to all in the rural housing industry. You can click here for more information and to complete the form.
Register as a Sponsor and/or Exhibitor
Thank you to the 25th Annual Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors

Sid Grinker Restoration

Horizon Management Group, Inc.

Federal Home Loan Bank

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

Cinnaire

HD Supply

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

CARH

Focus on Energy

SVA Certified Public Accountants

Simply Computer Software, Inc.

M3 Insurance

Wisconsin Management Company

Movin’ Out

WHEDA

Tri-State Tub to Shower Conversion

Eckland & Blando
