ROOTED: A Housing Empowerment Summit

A free community summit connecting residents to housing education, trusted resources, homeownership pathways, and real next steps.
About this Event

ROOTED: A HOUSING EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT

A free community summit connecting Newport News residents with housing education, trusted resources, homeownership pathways, and real next steps.

Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
2410 Wickham Avenue, Newport News

Presented by: Charity Means Love Foundation, Empower All, and East End Civic Association

Presenting Sponsor: LISC Virginia

Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided. Youth programming is planned for registered families.

Reserve your free spot today. Please register every person attending, including children.

COME AS YOU ARE. LEAVE WITH MORE.

Housing affects every part of our lives, where we raise our families, how we build stability, whether we can create generational wealth, and how connected we feel to the community around us.

ROOTED brings the history, people, and resources into one room so residents can better understand their options, connect directly with trusted organizations, and leave with a practical next step.

Whether you’re renting, using a Housing Choice Voucher, protecting family property, preparing for homeownership, or trying to better understand housing in your neighborhood, this day was created with you in mind.

WHY ATTEND

At ROOTED, you can:

• Learn about housing and homeownership resources available in Newport News
• Explore Community Land Trusts, down payment assistance, the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program, heirs property protections, and other pathways
• Connect directly with housing counselors, legal and financial professionals, community organizations, lenders, and resource partners
• Ask questions and request a one-on-one resource conversation
• Leave with useful information, new connections, and a practical next step toward your housing goal

WHAT YOU’LL EXPLORE

Community Land Trusts

Learn how Community Land Trusts create affordable homeownership opportunities, protect long-term affordability, and help communities fight displacement.

Homeownership Pathways

Explore the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program, down payment assistance, affordable homeownership resources, heirs property protections, and other options for prospective buyers.

Housing Rights and Protections

Connect with trusted organizations and learn about tenant rights, housing discrimination, eviction prevention, heirs property, and resources that can help families remain safely and securely housed.

Expert Connections

Meet Community Land Trust leaders, housing counselors, Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority representatives, financial institutions, legal professionals, and community resource partners.

Community and Conversation

Share breakfast and lunch, hear directly from community voices, ask questions, and connect with neighbors who care about housing stability and opportunity in Newport News.

ONE-ON-ONE RESOURCE CONNECTIONS

Beginning at 10:00 AM, attendees may request one-on-one conversations with participating organizations, as availability allows.

These conversations are intended to help you ask personal questions, understand available resources, and identify the organization best equipped to support your needs.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

ROOTED welcomes:

• Renters interested in becoming homeowners

• Housing Choice Voucher holders exploring homeownership

• First-time and prospective homebuyers

• Current homeowners seeking resources or support

• Families navigating heirs property or housing instability

• Self-employed residents and small business owners

• Community advocates, educators, and neighborhood leaders

• Housing, lending, legal, and financial professionals

• Anyone who wants to better understand housing in our community

Whether you’re ready to buy, protecting the home you already have, looking for support, or simply learning about your options, you belong here.

FOOD AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING

Registered guests will be welcomed with breakfast from East End Café. A networking lunch will be provided by LeeLee’s.

Youth programming is supported by GYMACO, Grace Youth Mentoring and Community Outreach. Information about eligible ages, activities, capacity, and family check-in requirements will be shared with registered families as details are finalized.

REGISTRATION AND ACCESSIBILITY

ROOTED is free and open to the community. Registration is strongly encouraged so we can plan appropriately for seating, meals, materials, youth programming, and accessibility needs.

Please register every person attending, including children.

Photography and video may take place during the event. If you have concerns about being photographed or recorded, please notify the event team during check-in.

For questions or accommodation requests, use the Contact the Organizer option on this Eventbrite page.

Reserve your free spot today.

Come as you are. Leave with something you learned, someone you met, and a pathway toward a resource that can support you, your family, your community, and your future.