Are you curious about the future of housing and community development? Dive into the heart of modern housing strategies with a focus on sustainability, affordability, and community engagement. Through this program, we'll explore the innovative solutions that communities are using to tackle housing challenges. You'll get to grips with the complex interplay between urban planning, policy-making, and the socio-economic factors driving today's housing market. This course is all about equipping you with the knowledge and tools to envision and implement housing initiatives that pave the way for positive transformation.

Let's get practical and hands-on! Throughout the course, we'll analyze real-world case studies, dissect policies, and engage with development simulations. You'll benefit from guest lectures by local experts who are actively shaping the future of Midland County. By the end of this journey, you'll not only understand the significance of forward-thinking housing policies but also gain the confidence to advocate for change and contribute to the development of inclusive, vibrant communities.

Jenifer Acosta is a solutions-minded community developer known for redeveloping historic buildings and extensive work driving housing developments. With a heart for building dynamic communities that evoke a strong sense of place. 

She believes that the best solutions are created by local people, with local resources, with local pride in mind and invests in projects that hit a triple-bottom line of community connection, environmental impact and fiscal responsibility. 

She has a strong passion for helping first-time developers launch their commercial vision and teaches small-scale real estate development to doers, bootstrappers and community advocates internationally.

Jenifer earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in international administration and sustainable development from the University of Miami. She also holds a graduate certificate in real estate development from New York University.

Jenifer’s projects have received numerous awards and recognition for historic preservation and economic development.