Owning a home has always been part of the American dream, but lately, the slumping housing market has been a nightmare for many people.

With that in mind, the Division of Public Administration in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is partnering with the West Virginia University Institute for Public Affairs to hostApproaches to the Creation of Affordable Housingfrom 1:30-4 p.m. Friday, April 24, in the Mountainlair Greenbrier Room.

The workshop will discuss trends, innovative approaches, best practices and challenges in affordable and attainable housing. The event is free and open to the public.

Affordable and attainable housing is a very important topic in community development and design,said Chris Plein, assistant dean of the School of Applied Social Sciences and chair of the Division of Public Administration.

The workshop, he said, will provide an excellent opportunity to network and learn about approaches to housing used locally and across the country from professionals in the field.

Speakers include Bob Cornwell, president of CSG Advisors, a financial advisory firm that specializes in housing and economic development; Bertha Chavoy, past director of the Housing Services Division in Anaheim, Calif.; Greg Devereaux, city manager of Ontario, Calif.; John Martys, executive director of the Fairmont and Morgantown Housing Authority; and Josie Cuda, past executive director of the Randolph County Housing Authority.

The workshop will be held in conjunction with the Local Government Leadership Academy, and participants are encouraged to attend the Local Government Leadership Conference April 25-26 at the Clarion Hotel Morgan.

To learn more about the conference, upcoming events and scholarships, visit http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/ipa/ or contact Plein at 304-293-2614 ext. 3157 or ” Chris.Plein@mail.wvu.edu rel=nofollow> Chris.Plein@mail.wvu.edu .