How CONVERGENCE is expanding homeownership in Central Ohio and nationwide

How CONVERGENCE is expanding homeownership in Central Ohio and nationwide

From Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing by National Housing Conference

March 16, 2026 · 51 min · Season 3 · Episode 4

About this episode

This episode discusses the CONVERGENCE initiative aimed at expanding homeownership through community collaboration.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin talks with Wendy Penn, Vice President of Affordable Housing Initiatives at the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Anna Teye-Kasongo, Assistant Executive Director at the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, about CONVERGENCE—MBA's initiative to expand homeownership by leveraging the collective strength of community partners. Penn shares how the initiative is advancing collaboration and solutions at the national level, while Teye-Kasongo discusses how those efforts are playing out locally in Central Ohio. CONVERGENCE brings together lenders, industry leaders, and government partners to drive collective action and develop new solutions to the nation's rental and housing affordability challenges. By taking a unified approach, the initiative works to promote more sustainable and affordable housing options for both homeownership and rental, with a particular focus on supporting underserved people and communities.

People in this episode

Host: David Dworkin

Guests: Wendy Penn, Anna Teye-Kasongo

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, CONVERGENCE

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