Following a strong and inspiring start to the CivicCon series in January, Forward Janesville is continuing the conversation—this time with a focused look at one of the most important issues facing our community: housing.

Our next CivicCon event, The Affordable City: A Presentation by Shane Phillips, will take place on Thursday, May 7, at the Janesville Performing Arts Center. Registration is now open, and the event is free and open to the public.

REGISTER FOR CIVICCON HERE

Continuing the CivicCon Conversation

CivicCon was created to bring people together around the ideas that shape Janesville’s future. Our inaugural event introduced the role of design, planning and community collaboration in building great places.

WATCH THE FULL PRESENATION OF 'MAKING CITIES: DESIGN MATTERS'

Now, we’re taking the next step.

This May, CivicCon turns its focus to housing development—a challenge that continues to impact workforce growth, economic development, and quality of life across our region.

Housing was identified as a top barrier to growth in Forward Janesville’s 2025 Business Retention & Expansion survey and remains a key priority in the City of Janesville’s strategic plan. As costs rise and availability remains limited, the need for solutions has never been more urgent.

About the Event: The Affordable City

At this CivicCon session, attendees will hear from Shane Phillips, author of The Affordable City: Strategies for Putting Housing in Reach (and Keeping it There) and Housing Initiative Project Manager at UCLA’s Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies.

Phillips brings a national perspective on one of today’s most complex challenges—housing affordability—and will explore the key factors that influence it, including:

• Supply: Why increasing housing availability matters and common misconceptions
• Stability: The role of tenant protections and preserving existing housing
• Subsidy: How public investment and policy shape housing outcomes

This event is designed for problem-solvers, community leaders, and anyone interested in understanding how housing policy, development, and market forces intersect.

Event Details

📅 Date: Thursday, May 7
🕔 Time: 5-7 p.m.
📍 Location: Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 408 S. Main St., Janesville
💵 Cost: Free & open to the public

Please note: Advance registration is required, and space is limited.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

This CivicCon event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Quint & Rishy Studer, Ryan, Inc., Tobin & Oakleigh Ryan, and The Janesville Gazette. We are grateful for their commitment to advancing important conversations that shape the future of our community.

Be Part of the Conversation

While many Forward Janesville events are member-focused, CivicCon is intentionally designed as a public forum for learning and dialogue. These conversations are an important step in shaping thoughtful, community-centered solutions to the challenges we face.

There is no single answer to housing—but by learning together, asking questions and engaging in open dialogue, we can move closer to solutions that support a stronger, more vibrant Janesville.

We hope you will join us May 7.