Resilience rules: How housing leaders are navigating a time of uncertainty

At this year’s MRI Ascend annual users conference, I sat down with a panel of affordable and public housing professionals who shared an honest look at what it takes to deliver on their mission in one of the most unpredictable environments in memory. This panel included: 

Eric Oberdorfer, Director of Legislative Affairs 

NAHRO 

Michael Webb, Senior Policy Analyst 

PHADA 

Samantha Sowards, Senior Manager of Professional Services 

Nan McKay and Associates, Inc. 

Thom Amdur, Senior Vice President, Policy and Impact 

Lincoln Avenue Communities  

 

Between shifting regulations, staffing shortages, and tighter budgets, the challenges are real — but so is the determination. Across every perspective, from policy and compliance to asset management and technology, one theme rose above the rest: resilience. 

 

A Constantly Changing Policy Landscape

It’s no secret that 2025 has been a turbulent year for housing organizations. Ongoing funding delays, short-term continuing resolutions, and recurring shutdown uncertainties have made long-term planning nearly impossible. 

Panelists described what they called “governance by headline” — a cycle where federal guidance and legislative updates come quickly, often without clear follow-through or context. The result? Agencies are left interpreting partial information while still serving residents who rely on their programs. With 2026 not appearing to bring any relief to these challenges, attendees agreed that the way forward was to focus on the fundamentals. 

Even in times of uncertainty, sound data, well-documented processes, and transparent communication remain the anchors that keep agencies steady. Michael Webb of PHADA pointed out that agencies would do well in today’s environment not to react to every new notice. Instead, agencies should stay grounded in their mission and take change one rule at a time. 

That advice proved especially relevant in conversations about HOTMA. The rollout of these updated regulations has created a regulatory puzzle, with varying interpretations by state and program. Compliance requirements are expanding faster than staff can keep up, creating real pressure on teams already managing multiple subsidy types. 

For housing organizations, the challenge isn’t just understanding new rules — it’s having the capacity and systems to adapt. Agencies that invest in training, technology, and collaboration today will be better positioned to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape tomorrow. 

 

Technology and AI: Enablers of Progress

When it comes to modernization, housing leaders agree that technology is no longer optional. PropTech solutions are now critical to managing asset types that are inherently complex, such as subsidized housing, streamlining reporting, and complying with regulations that shift on a regular basis.  

As many panelists noted, however, technology isn’t a one-size-fits-all, one-and-done fix for the industry’s challenges. A system migration won’t fix broken processes or incomplete data. “The key,” said Michael Webb, “is pairing the right technology with clean data and clear procedures.” That approach turns software into a strategic advantage — not just a tool for automation, but a foundation for transparency and accountability. 

And while artificial intelligence has become the industry’s favorite buzzword, the panelists were quick to point out that AI’s promise lies not in replacing human expertise but in augmenting it. AI can help teams identify trends faster and communicate complex issues more clearly. 

Thom Amdur of Lincoln Avenue Communities described using AI to summarize legislation or model potential funding impacts — a powerful way to translate complexity into actionable insight. A developer noted that their firm uses AI to organize and analyze decades of asset data, uncovering performance patterns that once took days to identify.  

As Eric Oberdorfer of NAHRO put it, “Treat AI like an intern. Enthusiastic and fast, but always double-check its work.” Used thoughtfully, these tools can empower housing professionals to do more with the time and data they already have, even in times of funding uncertainty. 

 

Innovation and Ingenuity in Tight Times

The panel also shed light on a new kind of innovation — the kind born of necessity. 

Rising construction costs, limited funding, and a growing preservation need are forcing developers and housing authorities alike to think differently. From bond recycling programs and energy efficiency projects to ancillary income initiatives like managed connectivity, organizations are getting creative about how to stretch every dollar further. 

That creativity isn’t limited to development or finance. Agencies are finding operational efficiencies, automating manual tasks, and uncovering new ways to deliver service, often by rethinking the intersection between technology and human expertise. After all, innovation doesn’t mean new. It means better. And in this environment, small process improvements can have outsized impact. 

 

People and Partnerships: The True Source of Resilience

Even as technology takes center stage, the conversation kept returning to one constant: technology helps, but it’s ultimately people who make subsidized housing work. Staffing shortages and turnover are universal concerns, but panelists emphasized that retention isn’t just about compensation; it’s about empowerment. Cross-training, professional development, and recognition go a long way in keeping skilled employees engaged in the mission. 

Samantha Sowards of Nan McKay and Associates, Inc. urged agencies not to underestimate the power of community: “Don’t go it alone. The conversations we have with peers are what move the industry forward.” That sense of collaboration across agencies, developers, advocates, and technology partners defines the future of subsidized housing. Shared learning and open dialogue are driving smarter decisions, faster problem-solving, and more resilient organizations. 

 

Looking Forward: Building Systems That Bend, Not Break

If the past year has proven anything, it’s that uncertainty isn’t going away. But what was made clear at MRI Ascend is the truth that the affordable and public housing industries are built to adapt. The organizations that thrive will be those that invest in flexibility — in their systems, their people, and their partnerships. Resilience is about more than surviving; it’s about thriving by turning challenges into opportunity. Learn more about the role technology can play in adapting to a challenging funding environment.