U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson will be in Hawai'i later this month for a conference on solving the state's affordable housing crisis.

The conference, called "Solving Hawai'i's Affordable Housing Crisis," is sponsored by Housing Hawai'i, the Urban Land Institute and the Hawai'i Housing Finance and Development Corp.

"This is such a vital issue — one that has affected literally thousands of Hawai'i residents" said Denise Boswell of Housing Hawai'i. "We are very pleased the White House has taken notice of this crisis and enthusiastically welcome the inclusion of Secretary Jackson as a guest speaker."

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and costs $50 to attend.

Other speakers including Micah Kane, chairman of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Paul Brewbaker, chief economist and vice president for the Bank of Hawaii.