About our Speaking & Training Sessions

Knight Development offers a variety of high-quality educational programs and training resources developed by staff with deep subject matter expertise. Our experts take complex real estate development and asset management concepts and build an engaging and informative curriculum to help agencies and partners successfully navigate and deploy best practices.

From Conference Keynotes to Group Classes, and Webinars, we deliver valuable housing industry guidance and meaningful insight into defining the issues affecting Affordable Housing and Development at large and implementing effective strategies for building inspired communities.

Session formats can be adapted to accommodate your online or in-person agenda including:

  • 45-60 Minute Break Out Sessions
  • 65-75 Minute Keynote or Panel Discussions
  • Half-day Training
  • 2-Day Intensive Technical Workshops
  • Custom Training Events

Available Topics

Some of our most popular training sessions are listed below. Click to expand and learn more detailed information.  Choose a topic or request a custom event in the form below.

RAD PRIMER

This technical session provides an extensive orientation to HUD’s RAD resource desk in order to navigate it successfully. The class will also review each component on the RAD resource desk, so that the attendee will be familiar with the documents required for a successful RAD Review. The training will provide an overview of conversion and repositioning methods, including first steps in the process, available tools for conversion, pros and cons of PBV or PBRA and resulting choices, introduction to the Finance Plan process, resident meetings and notifications, PHA document collection, the environmental and PBV binder process, physical needs assessments, the financing plan submission, and an overview of third-party contractors and consultant roles that you may need to employ.

Rad Primer - Part 1

Next Steps – Demystify the RAD Resource Desk This hands-on live Training introducing the RAD Resource Desk and how to access all elements, specific details on the finance plan page including specific document examples, a discussion of third party reports and their place n the finance plan and overall financial strategy.

Rad Primer - Part 2

Next Steps – Navigate What is Needed This training provides an overview of a variety of documents involved in all aspect of the conversion. Initial financial documents including Proforma, funding applications, management agreements, construction documents and how they all affect the entire project.

Rad Primer - Part 3

Next Steps – Life after the RCC Issuance This hands-on training provides clear details on the due Diligence Roles of the Developer Partner, PHA and Financial Team as working the details to the Closing Process as well as understanding the difference between the RAD Closing and the Financial Closing – process and timing.

PUBLIC HOUSING TRANSITION MANAGEMENT

Intended to prepare Public Housing Managers and staff for their new roles and responsibilities. The following three classes will provide information regarding the many similarities between Public Housing and all the programs available for conversion. More importantly, the instructor will highlight the mindset and approach to successful management of these programs and how they vary from public housing operations.

Public Housing Transition Management - Part 1

Understanding the Mindset of Your New Program Preparing your staff for operational changes, new roles, and guidelines they will be working within. Also, what work standards are now expected and the best ways to help staff achieve and maintain quality performance.

Public Housing Transition Management - Part 2

Asset Management in the Private Sector With new stake holders to answer to, the importance of adhering to new rules and regulations in a timely manner is vital. The technical aspects of what leadership need to complete for successful transition will be addressed through the use of comprehensive checklists, Leadership will be able to provide property managers a clear path to avoid non-compliant operational situations before they occur.

Public Housing Transition Management - Part 3

Budget Preparation: What Property Managers Need to Track and Evaluate

The instructor will provide insight to what can occur if managers are not responsive to budget fluctuations before they swing way out of balance. New funding sources that are fixed to program performance mean property managers need to continuously be aware of their month-to-month expenditures. Also, they need to know the importance of keeping these monthly figures as close to their annual budget as possible.

LIFE AFTER RAD CONVERSION

After the closing, what is expected of housing authorities? This training provides a true snapshot of what is expected after closing: Construction, Relocation, Lease Up and Long-term Management, and Resident Involvement after Conversion.

CHANGING THE PHA BUSINESS MODEL

Understanding how the Conversion affects the PHA business plan. Preparing for the changes through education, staff evaluations, tough decisions, and communication. Understanding how the changing budget affects the business model and why PHA choices upfront are critical to its success.

FAIR HOUSING & DISABILITY

This class covers all essential information required to operate an assisted housing program in compliance with Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation and Disability laws,including affirmatively furthering fair housing and service animals.

LEVERAGING DIVERSITY

Diversity in clients and teams can be a double edge sword. Diversity infuses group thinking with different perceptions, concepts, and experiences. But diversity can also cause conflict. Dealing with diversity goes beyond just learning to respect gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual, and language differences. We need to understand how differences can work for your team instead of against it.

BLENDED TAX CREDIT AND PBV PROGRAM FUNDAMENTALS

Rent & Income Calculations, Eligibility, Waitlist Management, Grievance Procedures

This class addresses the technical aspects of calculating income & rent and the eligibility process for the Project Based Program and the similarities and difference between the PBV program and the tax credit program. This class covers all steps in the occupancy cycle from determining eligibility for admission and waiting list management to verifications, income and rent calculation, lease and grievance requirements. This class is a combination of the Admissions and Occupancy Basics 2-day class and the Income and Rent Calculation 2-day class This class is designed for onsite persons and also for anyone in leadership positions that wants to be able to familiarize themselves with the program. This is a very technical class, not a high-level theoretical class. We complete actual case studies and files.

INTEGRATED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Foster an Inspired Community Creating a community that supports your mission: This class will address the difference between supportive services that are required and services that will support the mission of your community. Attendees to the class will walk away with programming ideas, partnership collaborations, required language on contracts and/or MOU’s, potential risks and how to mitigate them, and more importantly, with a program that will enhance resident retention, increase quality of life, and create a community among the residents, the management, and the larger community.

MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE POST PHA CONVERSION

This class highlights that a great maintenance program can be a wonderful amenity for the residents, project the asset, prevent risk, and decrease expenses. This class will address creating of preventative maintenance schedules, the onsite inspection process, completion of site reports that highlight potential risks and deferred maintenance items, identification of future maintenance projects and review of the budget for purposes of expense control. How to negotiate contracts and have the language to work with your vendors and maintenance contractors. How to make sure that you community is always ready for ANY inspection regardless of HQS, UPCS, state visit, inspector visit. – Scott Rhodes and Latonya Smith will be the instructors on this class. Both are qualified UPCS/HQS specialists and have extensive experience with onsite property management, budget controls, inspection process, and working with residents to take care of their units!

REQUEST A SPEAKER OR TRAINING SESSION

Meet Our speakers & Trainers

HOLLY KNIGHT

HOLLY KNIGHT

Chief Executive Officer

KATIE ANDERSON

KATIE ANDERSON

Vice President, Public Housing Development

ASHLEY WILSON

ASHLEY WILSON

Chief Financial Officer