HOMER Affordable Housing Conference 2027: research, policy, and funding updates
The HOMER Conference brings together affordable housing researchers, policymakers, and developers to share findings on housing supply, subsidy programs, and resident outcomes. This guide covers the 2027 agenda, key themes, and how HOMER research shapes federal and state housing policy.
The HOMER Conference is the premier academic venue for affordable housing research — where empirical findings on LIHTC, rental assistance, zoning, and homelessness prevention reach the policymakers and developers who can act on them. Here is what to expect from the 2027 program.
2027 research tracks
Affordability period compliance, income-targeting, and neighborhood mobility effects of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments
Housing Choice Voucher mobility, landlord participation rates, and opportunity area access for Section 8 holders
Empirical studies of upzoning effects on rents, construction activity, and displacement risk in reformed jurisdictions
Flood risk, insurance affordability, and retrofit costs in publicly assisted housing — especially after 2024–2026 storm seasons
Rapid rehousing cost-effectiveness, Prevention Assistance outcomes, and longitudinal tracking of formerly housed individuals
Community land trusts, shared equity models, manufactured housing, and state HFA bond financing structures
Key data sources cited at HOMER
- HUD LIHTC Database — unit-level data on all tax credit developments since 1987
- HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program data — voucher utilization, payment standards, landlord counts
- American Housing Survey — biennial national housing conditions data
- Harvard JCHS — State of the Nation's Housing — annual cost-burden and supply analysis
- Urban Institute Housing Research — program evaluation and equity analysis
External references
- HUD — Office of Policy Development and Research
- HUD Cityscape — peer-reviewed housing research journal
- Urban Institute — Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center
- Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies — research publications
- National Housing Conference — events calendar
- HUD — LIHTC dataset
Common questions
What is the HOMER Conference?
HOMER (Housing, Organizations, Markets, Economics, and Research) is an annual gathering of academic researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners focused on affordable housing. Sessions present empirical work on subsidy effectiveness, neighborhood effects, and financing structures. The Urban Institute's Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center is among the leading contributors of research presented at HOMER.
What housing research topics are featured at HOMER 2027?
The 2027 conference focuses on five major tracks: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) outcomes, rental assistance program portability, zoning reform effects on supply, climate resilience in affordable housing, and homelessness prevention interventions. The HUD Cityscape journal publishes peer-reviewed research in these areas and many HOMER presenters submit findings there.
How does HOMER research influence federal housing policy?
HOMER findings frequently inform HUD program design, Congressional Budget Office scoring of housing legislation, and state housing finance agency allocation plans. Research on LIHTC effectiveness has shaped income-averaging elections and basis boost eligibility. The HUD Office of Policy Development and Research publishes synthesis reports drawing heavily on HOMER-presented work.
What is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and why does HOMER study it?
The LIHTC is the primary federal subsidy for affordable rental housing construction, allocating roughly $12 billion in credits annually to finance approximately 100,000 units per year. HOMER researchers study how well units reach the lowest-income households, how long affordability periods last, and whether locations support resident economic mobility. The National Council of State Housing Agencies LIHTC database and HUD's LIHTC dataset are the primary sources.
When and where is the HOMER Conference held in 2027?
HOMER 2027 is scheduled for spring 2027. The conference rotates between university campuses and major policy centers; past locations include Washington DC, Chicago, and New York. Check the Urban Institute events calendar and the National Housing Conference events page for confirmed venue and registration details when announced.
How does HOMER differ from other housing conferences like ULI or MBA Annual?
HOMER is primarily an academic and policy research conference — presentations are data-driven, peer-reviewed, and focused on program evaluation rather than deal-making or market outlook. ULI Spring attracts developers and investors; MBA Annual focuses on lending industry operations. For primary research on what works in affordable housing, HOMER is the most rigorous venue. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies publishes complementary working papers covering many HOMER themes.
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