In observance of National Homeownership Month

2026 Housing Solutions & American Success Summit

A defining dialogue on the future of housing, wealth, and opportunity, elevating homeownership as a foundational pillar of a robust middle class.

June 24, 2026
4:00 – 8:00 PM
Chapman University
A family in front of their new home
About the Summit

A Defining Dialogue on Housing & Opportunity

Join a defining dialogue on the future of housing, wealth, and opportunity. Anchored in a mission to advance upward mobility and wealth creation, the Summit elevates homeownership as a foundational pillar of a robust middle class, convening leaders across policy, research, finance, development, and community advocacy.

As economic, demographic, and regulatory dynamics continue to recalibrate housing supply, the Summit underscores the heightened significance of ownership within today’s public policy discourse. This multisector convening advances pragmatic policy approaches designed to broaden access to the American Dream.

Hosted By
Chapman University — Argyros College of Business and Economics, Alexander E. Hayden School of Real Estate, Center for Demographics and Policy
With Gratitude

Gold Sponsors

USC Lusk Center for Real Estate
USC Dornsife — Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life

Silver Sponsor

The R.C. Hobbs Company — Celebrating 50 Years

Bronze Sponsor

Laura Lacko for Mission Viejo City Council

Sponsorship received does not constitute an endorsement. The Summit’s host, Chapman University, does not endorse any candidate, campaign, or political party.

Voices Shaping the Conversation

Speakers

Opening & Closing Remarks

Lisa Ansell
Lisa Ansell
Director of Academic Programming, USC Casden Institute; weekly columnist for the Los Angeles Jewish Journal
Marshall Toplansky
Marshall Toplansky
Associate Professor of Management Science & Research Fellow, Center for Demographics and Policy, Chapman University

Presentation Speakers

Karla López del Río
Karla López del Río
Connexions Consulting Principal & Senior Fellow, Center for Demographics and Policy, Chapman University
Anders Engnell
Anders Engnell
Chief of Staff, California Forever

Panel One · The Delivery Problem

Joel Kotkin
Moderator
Joel Kotkin
Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures & Executive Director, Center for Demographics and Policy, Chapman University
David Cisneros
David Cisneros
Executive Director, Romulus Development
Elizabeth Hansburg
Elizabeth Hansburg
Cofounder & Director, People for Housing OC.
Noerena Limón
Noerena Limón
Chief Executive Officer, Casita Coalition
Chad Lonski
Chad Lonski
Land Acquisition Manager, Storm Western Development
Claudia Zaker
Claudia Zaker
Founding Partner, Broker Associate, Realty of America

Panel Two · Innovation Within Constraint

Richard Green
Moderator
Richard Green
Professor, Director & Chair of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate
Judson Brown
Judson Brown
Housing Manager, City of Santa Ana
Joel Farkas
Joel Farkas
Founder, Fruition Communities; expertise in energy, real estate development & water management
Nora Guerra
Nora Guerra
SVP of Community Lending Solutions, Guild Mortgage; nationally recognized affordable housing leader
Nora Mendez
Nora Mendez
Executive Director, OC Community Housing Corporation
Ryan Sears
Ryan Sears
Head of Policy & Research, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services
Get to Know the Speakers

Full Speaker Biographies

Read in-depth biographies for every moderator, panelist, and presenter — scan the code or tap the button.

Schedule of Events

Agenda

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Welcome & RegistrationCheck in and connect before the program begins.
5:00 – 7:30 PM
Event ProgramPanels and dialogue on the future of housing, wealth, and opportunity.
7:30 – 8:00 PM
Sunset Rooftop NetworkingContinue the conversation with speakers and guests.
Complimentary Admission

FREE for Students, Faculty, Staff & Alumni Association Members

of every Southern California academic institution

Email Mahnaz Asghari at asghari@chapman.edu for your complimentary code.

Rebuild the Homeownership Ladder — California's Housing Crisis (2026 report cover)
The Research

The Summit Report

The report is now available. Read Rebuild the Homeownership Ladder — California’s Housing Crisis: Market Failure in Attainable Homeownership by Karla López del Río, published by the Center for Demographics and Policy. Every Summit ticket also includes a complimentary printed copy.

Read Report
Getting Here

Plan Your Visit

Venue

Beckman Hall, Chapman University Beckman Hall
Bush Conference Center
Beckman Hall, 4th Floor
Address
One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866

Driving

Chapman University main campus entrance Get Directions →

From the 5 (Santa Ana Fwy): exit Chapman Ave east; left (north) on N. Glassell St, right on E. Walnut Ave to N. Orange St.

From the 22 (Garden Grove Fwy): exit N. Main St north; right on E. Walnut Ave to N. Orange St.

From the 55 (Costa Mesa Fwy): exit Chapman Ave west; north toward N. Orange/Center to E. Walnut Ave.

At N. Orange St & E. Walnut Ave, enter the Anderson Parking Structure.

Parking

Chapman University parking & walking directions video

Visual: How to Arrive at Anderson Parking

Anderson Parking Structure
Complimentary event parking
  • Parking is underground, beneath the football field.
  • Entrance on N. Orange St & E. Walnut Ave.

Walking

Chapman University campus & parking map Click Here · Full Map

From the Anderson Structure, walk south into campus, past Argyros Forum (about a 4-minute walk), to Beckman Hall.

Take the elevator to the 4th floor — the Bush Conference Center.

Spread the Word

Share the Summit

In Observance Of

National Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month — National Association of REALTORS®

Learn more about the national advocacy of the National Association of REALTORS® for bipartisan housing policy.

June is recognized nationwide as National Homeownership Month. The observance grew from National Homeownership Week, first marked in the 1990s as part of a public-private effort to make the stability and wealth-building power of owning a home accessible to more American families. In 2002 it was formally proclaimed as a full month each June, affirming homeownership as a cornerstone of the American Dream. Today the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Association of REALTORS®, and partners nationwide use the month to spotlight efforts that help families achieve affordable, sustainable homeownership.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), National Homeownership Month.

Explore More

Visit the Center for Demographics & Policy

Chapman University — Argyros College of Business and Economics, Center for Demographics and Policy

Learn more about the Center’s latest reports, podcasts, and convenings on demographics, housing, and economic opportunity.

Get in Touch

Contact

Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director, Center for Demographics and Policy
Mahnaz Asghari
Associate Director

2026 Housing Solutions & American Success Summit

Center for Demographics and Policy, Argyros College of Business and Economics, Chapman University.

June 24, 2026 · 4:00–8:00 PM

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