Building Foundations
The Mel King Institute’s Building Foundations Program (in partnership with LISC Massachusetts), is designed to provide flexible, accessible, training for emerging and mid-level project managers involved in affordable housing development. This Program consists of:
- full-day in-person trainings
- half-day virtual sessions that address key topics in affordable housing development
- and a Clinic Cohort seminar for 8-10 committed project managers seeking deeper, hands-on learning and peer support.
The curriculum combines theory with practice, incorporating real case studies, interactive exercises, and structured guidance from subject matter experts.
In-Person Trainings
January 28, 2026: Affordable Housing Development Process
March 11-12, 2026: Affordable Housing Finance Series
Our two-day, in-person intensive covers the financial frameworks crucial to affordable housing development. Over the course of four 3-hour sessions, participants will gain a deep understanding of financial modeling, subsidy strategies, and budget management.
Clinic Cohort
Are you managing affordable housing projects and looking for real-world support to get your next deal across the finish line? Apply for our second Building Foundations Clinic Cohort! The Clinic Cohort is designed for project managers who are actively managing deals and looking for space to troubleshoot, learn, and grow with peers who understand the work. We'll meet monthly, through a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, creating a supportive space to get hands-on help with your own projects while learning what's working for others across the state.
It's an excellent opportunity to build community, swap lessons learned and dive into technical learning on topics like negotiating contracts, deciphering insurance requirements, managing construction/equity installments, working effectively with lenders and investors, etc.
If you're ready to sharpen your skills and connect with others doing this work, apply here before December 12, 2025.
Learn more about the Building Foundations Clinic Cohort on December 5, 2025 in this info webinar!
Check out the 2025 Clinic Cohort Spotlight to learn more about the program from current participants!
Virtual Trainings
Dive deeper into the operational challenges of affordable housing project management in our Virtual Building Foundations Trainings. Whether you’re working on a large project or looking to sharpen your skills, these sessions are open to everyone.
December 5, 2025: Clinic Cohort Info Webinar
February 12 2026: Decarbonization
Spring 2026: Legal Issues & Closings (date TBA)
From zoning and permitting to land use, this session covers the legal intricacies of affordable housing closings. You’ll also learn best practices for managing legal risks during the development process.