Tuesday, October 27, 2026

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Texas Public Policy Foundation

901 Congress Avenue

Austin, TX 78701

OR

Online via Livestream

TO RSVP: Click on the link below and enter the password “TPPF” when prompted

Texas is growing rapidly, and keeping housing attainable will require policymakers, builders, researchers, and advocates to work together to expand supply and remove barriers to new homes. The Texas Housing Symposium brings together national experts and Texas leaders for a focused discussion on the forces shaping housing affordability, the reforms being tested across the country, and the implementation of Texas’ recent housing policy changes. The program will also look ahead to the next round of reforms that can help Texans find more housing choices at prices they can afford.

In-person attendees will enjoy a complimentary breakfast, lunch, and post-event reception. Can’t make it in person? Register for a complimentary livestream ticket and tune in from anywhere.

Agenda

8:30-9AM | Registration + Breakfast

9-9:05AM | Welcome Remarks

Jose Melendez – Campaign Director, Taxpayer Protection Project and Government Reform & Oversight Coalition, Texas Public Policy Foundation

9:05-10:20AM | Panel 1 – Building More, Building Better: What It Takes to Meet America’s Housing Demand

Housing affordability ultimately depends on whether communities can build enough homes to meet demand. This opening conversation brings together research, investment, and homebuilding perspectives to examine the biggest obstacles facing housing production, the market forces driving costs, and the policy changes that can help the private sector deliver more attainable homes.

Jose Melendez (Moderator) – Campaign Director, Taxpayer Protection Project and Government Reform & Oversight Coalition, Texas Public Policy Foundation
Chris Avallone – Chief Financial Officer, Amherst
Amy Ledbetter Parham – Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Texas
Jenny Schuetz – Vice President of Infrastructure, Housing, Arnold Ventures

10:20-11:20AM | Keynote Address

Aaron Hedlund – Member, White House Council of Economic Advisors

11:20-11:50AM | Break + Lunch Served

11:50AM– 1:05PM | Panel 2 – Housing Reform Across America: What’s Working and What Texas Can Learn

States and cities across the country are rethinking zoning, permitting, land-use rules, and other barriers that limit housing supply. This panel will examine notable reforms from around the nation, what the evidence says about their results, and which lessons may be most relevant as Texas continues pursuing a pro-housing agenda.

John Bonura (Moderator) – Policy Analyst, Taxpayer Protection Project, Texas Public Policy Foundation
Charles Gardner – Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Alex Horowitz – Project Director, Housing Policy, Pew
Ashlea Quinonez – Southwest Regional Administrator, Region VI, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Timothy Sandefur – Vice President for Legal Affairs, Goldwater Institute

1:05-1:10PM | Break

1:10-2:25PM | Panel 3 – From Passage to Production: Making Texas’ 89th Legislature Housing Reforms Work

The 89th Texas Legislature enacted significant housing reforms, but passage is only the first step. This panel will focus on implementation: how cities, builders, real estate professionals, and advocates are navigating the new laws, where friction is emerging, and what policymakers should watch as the reforms begin to shape development across Texas.

Ben Crockett (Moderator) – Policy Scholar, Government Reform & Oversight Coalition, Texas Public Policy Foundation
Erin Bordelon – National Sustainability Director, D.R. Horton
J.D. Hale – Vice President of Government Affairs, Texas Association of Builders
Julia Parenteau – Director of Public Policy, Texas Association of Realtors
Brita Wallace – General Counsel, Texans for Reasonable Solutions

2:25-2:30PM | Break

2:30-3:45PM | Panel 4 – The Texas Housing Agenda: Lawmakers on What Comes Next

Texas lawmakers have made housing affordability a major policy priority. In this closing panel, legislative leaders will discuss the reforms enacted to date, the challenges they are hearing from constituents and communities, and the next policy opportunities to increase housing supply, protect property rights, and keep the Texas dream within reach.

3:45-4PM | Closing Remarks

Jose Melendez – Campaign Director, Taxpayer Protection Project and Government Reform & Oversight Coalition, Texas Public Policy Foundation

4-5PM | Post-Symposium Cocktail Reception

Livestream

The livestream can be viewed from 9AM – 4PM CST

Parking

Please see the parking options below and click here for a parking map:

Metered parking – pay per minute/hour Congress Avenue – 9th Street and surrounding streets
Peak Parking LLC – pay for first 30 minutes then for each additional 30 minutes -176 E 9th St, Austin, TX 78701
Capitol Tower – pay per hour – 206 E 9th Street, Austin, TX 78701

TO RSVP: Click on the link below and enter the password “TPPF” when prompted

*There are two RSVP Options: 1) In-Person (TPPF Theater), and 2) Virtual (Livestream). When you RSVP, you will receive more event information and a reminder before the event.