NLCU: Housing Development and Finance

Course Description:

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the housing development process, from conception to completion, with a particular focus on the financial aspects of development. It is designed for individuals seeking knowledge in real estate development, investment, financing, and management. The course covers the economic, financial and environmental aspects of housing project development. This course will provide participants with a solid foundation in both the development and financing aspects of housing, preparing them for roles in real estate, finance, and urban planning. 

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the process of housing development from site selection to project completion.
• Discuss industry participants and their roles.
• Analyze the financial feasibility of real estate projects.
• Evaluate various financing mechanisms for housing development.
• Understand the regulatory and policy environment affecting housing.
• Manage risks associated with real estate development.
• Apply sustainable and affordable housing practices.

Course Facilitators

Jolena Presti, AICP, Managing Director, Baker Tilly (Facilitator) 

Jolena has more than 25 years of experience advancing innovative city-building solutions for public and private sector clients. Jolena has led Baker Tilly’s Development and Community Advisory team’s practice in economic, housing and redevelopment strategies, targeting real estate and public policy solutions to advance economic growth and community revitalization for the past 5 years. Jolena joined Baker Tilly as a Managing Director after 15 years in leadership with a Midwest economic development and urban planning firm, where she was Principal of the Milwaukee office leading community redevelopment and public private partnership efforts targeted in Midwest communities. Jolena earned a Master of Public Administration and Urban Planning from the University of Washington. Jolena is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and American Planning Association (APA). 

Quinn Gromley, Director, Baker Tilly  

As a Director of Real Estate Development Advisory Services at Baker Tilly, Quinn collaborates with internal and external teams to provide strategic guidance and sophisticated financial modeling for real estate projects. By offering customized advisory services and forward-thinking approaches, Quinn delivers scalable solutions that drive operational efficiency, enhance development processes, and maximize the value of real estate investments and dispositions. Quinn has a strong background in real estate development, compliance analysis, financial modeling, and predevelopment planning, design review, scheduling, and budgets. 

David Haviland, Senior Manager, Baker Tilly  

David has been conducting real estate market research and consulting services since 2001. He provides effective and practical solutions for property owners, tenants, mortgage lenders, public officials and others involved in all aspects of the real estate process. His strong background in finance and the real estate industry provides for a sound, thorough evaluation of real estate situations. 

Ethan Tabakin, Senior Manager, Baker Tilly  

Ethan is an experienced consultant with eight years of experience in the real estate and affordable housing industries. Ethan has successfully assisted in the financing and closing of projects and assists developers in securing funding from a diverse range of sources. His experience includes assisting developers with transactions involving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and federal funds, working with housing authorities to strategically reposition their portfolios and helping municipalities and developers navigate the due diligence processes associated with federally funded sources. 

Michael Hellier, Manager, Baker Tilly  

Michael specializes in consulting with and assisting developers in applying for various sources of funds to build multifamily, affordable housing developments. He provides advisory services on real estate transactions that typically involve tax incentives such as LIHTC. Michael has more than seven years of experience in all project phases and a variety of project types, including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, single and multifamily housing development and mixed-use projects. As co-chair of the diversity, inclusion, belonging and societal impact (DIBS) committee, Michael is tasked with setting individual and real estate advisory team goals that align with the firm’s DIBS initiatives. 

David Harms, Senior Manager, Baker Tilly  

David combines a strong background in structuring complex layered financing for community development transactions with practical knowledge of construction and project management. He joined Baker Tilly in 2022 after serving most recently as the vice president of real estate development for one of the nation’s 10 largest not-for-profit affordable housing developers. He also previously founded and ran his own construction company and served in a variety of project management roles related to disaster response and recovery. David is passionate about taking a life cycle perspective on affordable housing development by looking at the impacts of design and construction on the physical and financial resilience of the developments he works on. 

Rob Dicke, Senior Manager, Baker Tilly  

Rob is a goal orientated executive with 30 years of experience in real estate management, development and energy efficiency. He is focused on energy, affordable housing and Tribal work He has written and submitted more than $60 million worth of energy efficiency grants, has four years of experience directing the asset management of more than 8,900 units of affordable multifamily housing totaling more than $580 million in value and eight years of experience as the director of public housing authority which includes a housing choice voucher program. 

Al Zelinka, FAICP, CMSM, Director, Baker Tilly  

Al brings a wealth of experience in both local government leadership and consulting to his work with Baker Tilly’s public-sector advisory team. He served most recently as city manager for the California cities of Huntington Beach and Riverside. Key accomplishments in those roles include creating a nationally recognized and award-winning one-stop shop (and associated zoning code updates and streamlined process improvements) garnering 96% customer satisfaction, overhauling outdated administrative policies and procedures, improving financial health, developing public infrastructure, advancing strategic planning and succession planning, advancing policies on equity and homelessness and promoting community engagement. Al also served as community development director for the cities of Riverside and Fullerton, creating more efficient and effective processes and improving operation. 

For questions, contact university@nlc.org.