Framing Fire Recovery for Long-term Affordable Housing Solutions

Wildfires and other natural disasters displace residents and worsen housing shortages. While post-fire efforts often focus tremendous energy on immediate relief, housing recovery that includes long-term solutions requires sustained advocacy and strategic funding.

This workshop will examine disaster tax credits, funding allocation challenges, and the need for multi-year commitment to rebuilding. Speakers will discuss effective utilization of disaster recovery funding, fire-resistant design, transit-friendly development, and case studies like the Laurel Project which transformed a mobile home park into affordable senior housing. Attendees will gain insights into navigating funding delays, maintaining political will, and leveraging multi-agency collaboration.

Participants will leave with strategies to advocate for equitable, resilient recovery efforts. This session is ideal for developers, policymakers, and housing advocates working on post-disaster rebuilding.

Speakers Include:

Ben Wickham, Chief Operating Officer, Burbank Housing

Ben Wickham is Chief Operating Officer at Burbank Housing Development Corporation in Santa Rosa. With more than 25 years of housing expertise that includes 5 years at Burbank Housing, 12 years with the Housing Authority of Portland, Oregon, and 2 ½ years as the Affordable Housing Director for the County of Sonoma. His experience in affordable housing includes asset management, property management, real estate finance, and development. Ben is a licensed Principal Real Estate Broker in Oregon, and is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), holding the Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designation since 2010.

Jen Klose, Executive Director, Generation Housing

Jen Klose is the founding Executive Director of Generation Housing, following nearly 15 years as a real estate attorney. Among her proudest accomplishments is facilitating the conversion of the Palms Inn into permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans and vulnerable civilians. Jen served two terms on the Santa Rosa School Board, including three years as board president, where she led equity-focused reforms in enrollment, discipline, and graduation policies. She has held leadership roles with CASA, the YMCA, the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation, and SoCo Rises, and she currently serves on the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber advocacy committee. Jen also co-founded the College Tee Project, a nonprofit promoting college access for low-income and first-generation students. Her deep understanding of housing’s impact comes from her work as a lawyer, elected official, and community leader. Jen believes housing is the most powerful tool to improve economic, environmental, educational, and health outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys cycling and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs, CocoBean and LuluBelle.

Jocelyn Lin, Chief Real Estate Development Officer, Burbank Housing

Jocelyn Lin joined Burbank Housing in 2017 and serves as the Chief Real Estate Development Officer, leading project teams on the design, entitlements, financing, and construction of affordable housing developments. A civically engaged professional with an eye towards equitable stewardship of public resources, Jocelyn has served on the City of Petaluma’s Planning Commission as well as the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining Burbank Housing, Jocelyn spent a decade practicing public finance and corporate law in the Bay Area and Washington D.C. Jocelyn received a B.A. from Stanford University, a J.D. from the University of Virginia, and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver.

Michelle Whitman, Executive Director, Sonoma County Community Development Commission

Michelle Whitman was appointed Executive Director of the Sonoma County Community Development Commission in April 2023. She is a collaborative and equity-focused leader in housing and community development with a strong track record of securing over $120 million in new funding for climate-smart, resilient housing systems. Michelle is recognized regionally as a housing finance expert and helped operationalize a housing-focused Joint Powers Authority and launch a $22 million nonprofit loan fund to accelerate affordable multifamily housing. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Executive Director of the Renewal Enterprise District, and previously worked as District Director for Sonoma County’s Third District. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University and a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley. Her professional certifications include Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell and City Management from Villanova. Michelle serves on multiple committees including BAHFA, CTCAC, and the RED Housing Fund Board. She lives in Sonoma County with her husband and has two adult children.

Martha Cheever, Deputy Director, Rental Assistance, Sonoma County Community Development Commission

Martha Cheever has been employed by the Community Development Commission for more than 10 years. She was promoted to Deputy Director in 2024. Martha has led the Sonoma County Housing Authority for 9 years. Prior to this, she was heavily involved in budget and financing for the Community Development Commission and the Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works. Martha has a passion for developing creative solutions to develop housing for the most vulnerable in our community. She serves as the County of Sonoma Representative on the Sonoma County Homelessness Coalition Board and serves on the Board of the Pacific Southwest Regional Conference of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.