Message from the Executive Director
The Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship housed in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University is proud to co-sponsor the 2025 Affordable Housing Conference in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC).
Scheduled for Monday, October 6, 2025, at George Mason’s Virginia Square Campus in Arlington, this full-day symposium will bring together a diverse cross-section of housing professionals, developers, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates to tackle one of the region’s most pressing challenges: expanding affordable and workforce housing for middle-income and entry-level households.
The conference will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with registration, breakfast, and networking, followed by a series of high-impact sessions designed to promote regional collaboration and innovative thinking. Attendees will explore how housing affordability directly affects economic resilience, competitiveness, and community well-being across Northern Virginia.
Keynote speakers and panelists—including economists, developers, nonprofit leaders, and housing policy experts—will address the critical need for housing that supports teachers, health care workers, early-career professionals, and other members of the essential workforce. The morning sessions, including “Regional Strength Starts at Home” and “Rethinking the Housing System,” will offer data-driven insights and practical strategies for expanding access to housing for those earning up to 120 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
I am excited to moderate a panel focused on innovation in financing, permitting, and development to ensure long-term affordability, entitled, “Rethinking the Housing System: Innovation, Incentives, and Lasting Affordability.” Saif Rahman, Managing Partner of JR Real Estate Group, current president of NVBIA, and a Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship advisory board member will be a panelist. Other confirmed panelists include representatives from Housing Alexandria and Fairfax County Housing and Community Development.
During lunch, attendees will hear a keynote address focused on the housing needs of young adults and middle-income families—an increasingly underserved demographic in the region’s housing market. Elected officials are expected to attend and offer remarks.
Afternoon breakout sessions will allow attendees to take a deeper dive into topics such as the wealth-building potential of homeownership, land-use reform, and legislative advocacy. Each session is designed as a collaborative working group, fostering discussion and identifying actionable next steps for addressing supply constraints and affordability challenges.
The conference will conclude with closing remarks and a planned, optional guided tour of a new affordable housing development in Arlington, Virginia. The site visit will highlight successful strategies for financing and designing below-market-rate housing, offering attendees a tangible example of innovation in action.
By co-hosting this event, the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship continues its commitment to housing education, public policy impact, and real estate innovation. The university invites students, alumni, and professionals to participate in this vital conversation shaping the future of housing in Northern Virginia and beyond.
Register for the 2025 Housing Symposium.
For any additional information or questions, contact me at ptarter@gmu.edu.