With close to 100 people registered to attend the November housing conference, we're beginning to see what workshops people consider the day's hot tickets.

In the morning session, "What Lies Ahead for Vermont's Housing Economy" is the most popular workshop, holding 40% of all registrations for that time-slot. Using the latest state-level data, panelists will quantify Vermont's current need for affordable housing, the role of real estate in the state's economy, and what local housing markets can expect in 2011 and beyond.

Now through the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, Nov. 18, we’re spotlighting speakers planning to participate in the day’s bevy of workshops. Next up: Joe Belden, Deputy Executive Director, Housing Assistance Council (HAC).

HAC is a national nonprofit provider of loans, grants, research, information, training and technical assistance for affordable rural housing. Previously a research associate at HAC, Joe's also worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on Capitol Hill, and for several policy-oriented research organizations in Washington, D.C.

Tomorrow's "Vermont Edition" on Vermont Public Radio will cover green historic preservation.

They'll talk about a green rehabilitation project underway at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, and visit an efficient passive house Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity is building in Charlotte.

Vermont Edition can be heard at noon and 7 p.m.

Approximately 70-80 additional housing units are needed in Hinesburg, Vt., to meet demand among current and prospective residents, according to a June 2010 report for the Hinesburg Affordable Housing Committee prepared by consultants from Development Cycles and Housing Strategies.

The majority of the units called for are rental housing for households earning less than the area median income and “age-appropriate ownership housing for seniors at a range of prices.”