Courtyard by Marriott
4300 W Empire Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57106

REGISTER

Registration Fees:
Members: $250   Non-Members: $350
Instructor: Jamila Burleson Goshon

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. 
Law vs. Guidance: Understanding Federal Direction Without Creating Risk

This session helps housing professionals understand how federal housing law is created and applied, and how to respond thoughtfully to announcements, guidance, and enforcement priorities without creating unnecessary compliance risk. Participants will learn how to evaluate new information before changing policies and avoid implementing practices that exceed legal authority or program requirements. Real-time regulatory examples will be used to illustrate how to distinguish between proposed rules, guidance, and enforceable requirements.

Key topics include:

• Statutes, regulations, and guidance — and how each carries authority
• What federal guidance and enforcement priorities are (and are not)
• Applying recent HUD rule changes and proposed regulations in practice
• Risks of reacting to announcements alone
• HUD, LIHTC, and RD considerations related to citizenship, documentation, and verification
• Best practices for policy evaluation and risk management

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Fair Housing & Equal Access: Consistency in Changing Times

This session reinforces that fair housing and equal access requirements remain constant, regardless of shifting enforcement priorities or regulatory messaging. Participants will explore how inconsistent policy application creates risk and how staff communication and neutral practices support long-term compliance.

Key topics include:

• Fair Housing Act protected classes
• HUD Equal Access requirements and ongoing applicability
• Common compliance pitfalls driven by uncertainty or misinterpretation
• Strategies for consistent, neutral policy application
• Staff communication practices that reduce exposure

Interactive component:

• Reviewing policy and practice examples: compliant vs. noncompliant

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Provided by RMH-AHMA

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. 
Arrest Records vs. Criminal History: Applying Screening Criteria Correctly

This session clarifies the distinction between arrest records, charges, and convictions and how criminal background screening must be applied in compliance with fair housing and program requirements. Participants will learn how misapplication of screening criteria increases exposure and how to support defensible decisions through proper documentation.

Key topics include:

• HUD guidance on criminal background screening
• Why arrest records alone cannot be used in housing decisions
• Program-specific expectations for HUD, LIHTC, and RD properties
• Documentation standards that support consistent, compliant screening

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 
Renewals Are Not Re-Screenings: Avoiding Unnecessary Exposure

This session focuses on renewal and recertification requirements and common mistakes that lead to unnecessary compliance and fair housing risk. Participants will learn when reviews are permitted, when they are not, and how renewal practices should align with program rules.

Key topics include:

• Purpose and scope of renewals and recertifications
• Why screening standards cannot be reapplied at renewal
• Fair housing implications of renewal-stage missteps
• Aligning renewal procedures with program requirements
• Understanding how lease enforcement and eviction timelines intersect with program requirements

3:45 – 4:30 p.m. 
Risk-Based Decision Making: Practical Scenarios & Best Practices

This interactive session brings the day’s topics together through real-world scenarios focused on evaluating risk before implementing change. Participants will practice identifying when staff actions unintentionally exceed authority and how to apply compliance principles consistently.

Scenario-based discussion includes:

• Responding appropriately to new guidance
• Screening and renewal decision-making
• Documentation and internal review practices
• Evaluating risk before policy or practice changes

4:30 – 5:00 p.m. 
South Dakota Housing Update: Current Issues & Program Considerations

Staff from South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) will provide an update on current housing issues impacting South Dakota properties. This session will address emerging trends, program considerations, and key reminders relevant to owners and agents operating within the state.

Accommodations:
A small block of rooms is available at the Courtyard by Marriott Sioux Falls at the special group rate of $124/night. To secure your reservation, please call (605) 444-4300 and mention the group name, Rocky AHMA. 

Continuing Education:
This course is currently in the process of being submitted to the South Dakota Real Estate Commission for continuing education approval. We will keep you updated on the status and any further developments regarding the approval process.