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Millions of lower-cost homes across the country are effectively shut out of the traditional mortgage market. When buyers cannot access affordable mortgage credit, many turn to alternative financing such as land contracts. These arrangements can help families achieve homeownership, but they often come with greater costs, fewer protections, and less opportunity to build long-term wealth. In Michigan alone, over 110,000 land contracts have been recorded since 2005.
Join us for a half-day convening exploring land contract challenges and opportunities, and what can be done to expand protections for sellers and buyers. Through new research and expert discussion among policymakers, lenders, community organizations, and practitioners, participants will examine the current alternative financing landscape and discuss practical strategies to help more families access safe, affordable mortgage financing.
The event will follow the Innovations in Manufactured and Modular Homes Annual Conference hosted by the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy.
AGENDA
12:30–1:00 PM: Lincoln Lunch & Closing Plenary
Location: The Crystal Ballroom
Speakers:
- Clemente Mojica, NPHS
- Tara Roche, Pew
1:15–1:20 PM: Welcome & Framing, “When Mortgages Disappear: Land Contracts, Credit Gaps, and the Future of Homeownership”
Speaker:
- Tara Roche, Pew
1:20–1:35 PM: Keynote Speaker
Speaker:
- Luke Shaefer, Ph.D., City of Detroit
1:35–1:55 PM: Pew’s New Research: Expanding Mortgage Access Can Help Reduce Reliance on Land Contracts
Speaker:
- Seva Rodnyansky, Ph.D., Pew
1:55–2:50 PM: Mapping the Land Contract Market: New Research and Tools
Moderator: Leonymae Aumentado, Michigan Poverty Solutions
Panelists:
- Ashley Williams Clark, Detroit Future City
- Dennis Su, Pew
- Patrick Meehan, Ph.D., University of Michigan
2:50–3:00 PM: Break
3:00–3:55 PM: From Land Contracts to Mortgages: Market Practices and Solutions
Moderator: Libby Benton, J.D., Michigan Poverty Law Program
Panelists:
- John Green, Blackstar Stability
- Mallory Smyk, Rocket Mortgage
- Michele Oberholtzer Zimmerman, City of Detroit
3:55-4:00 PM: Closing Remarks
Speaker:
- Tara Roche, Pew
4:00–5:30 PM: Networking Reception