The Holistic Housing Podcast

In this summer solstice edition of the Holistic Housing Show, Dr. Tiffany Manuel tells us why affordable housing is having a moment – and it’s time to move! As a messaging and communications strategist, Tiffany is a pro at teaching advocates to make their case through storytelling in order to make lasting change at the systems level. Plus, Katelynn receives a lil’ fan mail, Laura gets paranoid about airport security, and Sarah reminds everyone that Beach Sarah is way better than City Sarah. Tiffany is the President & CEO of The Case Made and you can follow her on Twitter at @DrTiffanyManuel. We love our listeners and love that you’ve been along for the ride! Send us a note at podcast@nacced.org and let us know what you’re liking or to suggest a guest. Or if you need help with a job or something. We do that, too. #connectors. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @HousingPodcast! Happy summer!

In this much-anticipated episode of the Holistic Housing Show, Laura and Sarah introduce their new co-host, NACCED’s new Policy Director, Katelynn Harris. Katelynn shares about her journey from the beaches of NC to the mountains of NC, to the affordable housing world of DC, and why her passion for housing is personal. Plus, the crew is joined by three special mystery guests – all NACCED members! – who ask thought-provoking and laugh-inducing questions of the new co-host. Also discussed: why Dolly Parton is perennial and Shania Twain “is a mood;” what policy change Katelynn would make with a magic wand (good one, Elizabeth!); and everyone learns what a Catahoula is (google it). Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, rate us in the app and send us an email to podcast@nacced.org. And follow us on Twitter @HousingPodcast!

In this special Fair Housing Month episode of the Holistic Housing Show, Laura and Sarah are joined by Heather Crislip, President & CEO, and Monica Jefferson, Vice President & COO, of HOME of Virginia. HOME fulfills its mission to ensure equal access to housing for all people by addressing housing discrimination in all its forms. Heather and Monica share what housing discrimination looks like – including the still-prevalent practice of redlining - and HOME’s role in a significant legal case that changed the insurance industry. Plus, Laura and Sarah tease not nearly enough information about the impending arrival of their new co-host, learn what the term “fintech” means, and everyone shares their opinion on mashed potatoes. Listen carefully, and you’ll hear a new special question debuted at the end!  Also mentioned in this episode: National Fair Housing Alliance; The Color of Law; Spoonbread Restaurant (thanks for the recommendation, Monica!)  Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our show so it hits your podcast app nice ‘n’ fresh and follow us on Twitter at @HousingPodcast. Send us an email to podcast@nacced.org and tell us what you think (read: how much you love the show) or suggest a guest!

In the 20th episode of the Holistic Housing Show podcast, Sarah and Laura are joined by NACCED’s own David Sacks, Community Development Manager for Henrico County, VA. David, famous to longtime listeners as a writer of complex and witty letters to the show’s hosts, shares why community development is more about moving slowly toward improvement than the one-and-done of fixing problems; the impactful experience of working with populations different than yourself; and the myth that there’s no room for creativity in local government. Plus, Sarah and Laura discuss the recent NACCED Legislative Meeting and everyone agrees that Stevie Nicks is eternally cool. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @HousingPodcast and send us a note at podcast@nacced.org. Community Development Week is coming up April 22-24. Thanks for listening!

In this 19th episode, Sarah and Laura are joined by Elizabeth Strojan, VP of Government Affairs at the NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development, for her second appearance on the show. Together, they commiserate the loss of former host Heather Voorman, who has moved on to a fabulous new role with the Homebuilders, and discuss who could possibly fill her shoes (must have intense love for Diet Coke). Elizabeth shares updates on NYC’s Housing New York plan and how important it is to find common ground when advocating. Plus, Sarah talks about getting certified in an inclusionary zoning workshop, Elizabeth discusses the joys of working with super smart cool people in housing (and who would play tambourine in her band), and everyone agrees that life is about being comfortable with what you don’t know. And Elizabeth answers the question, for the rest of your life, which would you rather have: a milk mustache or Cheeto fingers? The answer may surprise you.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show and rate us on iTunes! And follow along on Twitter at @NACCEDNews and like NACCED on Facebook. Send us your fan mail and love letters to podcast@nacced.org. We are grateful for our listeners!  

In the 18th episode of the Holistic Housing Show, the NACCED team is joined by Housing Assistance Council (HAC) CEO David Lipsetz. A rural Midwesterner himself, David shares how HAC empowers some of America’s most impoverished rural communities to grow their capacity and thrive. Also discussed: how public policy incentivizes city living and urbanization, why rural and urban America need not be at odds, why USDA is in the housing business and why values like community and humility matter. Plus, he teaches us new words like “sniglets” and “metropollyanna.” The Angels receive more fan mail, discuss first jobs and favorite home appliances, and debut brand new, hard-hitting questions (Which would you rather fight in hand-to-hand combat – an alien or a zombie?). Follow us on Twitter at @HousingPodcast and subscribe and rate the show wherever you listen. And send us a note at podcast@nacced.org!

In the 17th episode of the Holistic Housing Show, Charlie’s Angels are joined by Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani, author of the recently-released “Contested City: Art and Public History as Mediation at New York’s Seward Park Urban Renewal Center” (SPURA). Gabrielle shares how she and her students from the New School utilized art and dialogue to engage with residents, governments, nonprofits and other partners to re-envision NYC’s SPURA area after over 40 years of displacement, demolition and stagnation. Her book asks, how can we create a public planning ecosystem where people can disagree, with respect? Visit ContestedCityBook.com to learn more and check out her work with Buscada.   Plus, we read a hand-typed letter from podcast superfan David Sacks; divulge almost too much information about our mysterious friend @AnimalHoPo (who gave us a goats-in-trees 2019 calendar, naturally); reflect on a great year, and debut a few new questions for our guests (When you see a dog, what do you say?).   Follow the show on Twitter at @HousingPodcast. And don’t forget to subscribe and give us a good rating – even if that means sending us a letter in the mail (thanks, David!).

In this 16th episode of the Holistic Housing Show, your venerable hosts are joined by Randy Shaw, Founder and Executive Director of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Housing Clinic and author of the just-published “Generation Priced Out: Who Gets to Live in the New Urban America.” Randy, long an advocate for tenants’ rights, and whose personal, unofficial campaign slogan is “Legalize apartments!” offers a blueprint for what cities can, and should, do to make cities more livable for working Americans, including overcoming NIMBYism, restrictive zoning and generational divides that lead to a lack of housing. Also, learn the answer to, why the heck is it called the “Tenderloin District?” And, in this special election week episode, find out which NACCED member won her city council race (oh yeah!) and what movie taglines Laura, Sarah and Heather can claim as their life’s theme (and you can, too!).   Follow us on Twitter at @HousingPodcast and don’t forget to subscribe and give us a big ol’ 5 star rating!

This lively fall episode of the Holistic Housing Podcast opens with a special guest appearance from the listener who won our “podcast bundle” at the NACCED conference, and a discussion of things like “Can a vegetarian, in good faith, eat ants on a log?” (thanks @AnimalHoPo for the suggestion). Next, Laura, Heather and Sarah are joined by Peter Lawrence, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations at Novogradac & Company, LLC. Peter discusses his career in housing, starting with his auspicious beginning as President of the student housing co-op at his undergrad alma mater, UC Berkley. Plus, learn whether Peter can do a South African accent; who his extremely well-known mentor at the University of Chicago was (and whether this person offered him a stay in the Lincoln bedroom in later years); his work founding the ACTION campaign; and what tax credit programs, beyond LIHTC, could ameliorate America’s affordable housing needs.   Special thanks to Novogradac & Company LLC for sponsoring this episode!

In this episode of #housingpodcast we speak with Ben Austen, author of the bestselling “High Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing.” For Ben, the Cabrini-Green story is not just a piece of sensational American history, but the story of America’s values and a microcosm of the existential identity issues facing today’s cities: who can afford to live there? How do we build equity into communities that are constantly changing?   Plus, we kick off the show with lots of excitement about the show’s mention in a recent Washington Post article about White House staffer Ja’Ron Smith, which was based almost entirely on the show we did with him last fall. Hey-o! Then, Charlie’s Angels discuss not one, but two pickle-based seasoning methods (thanks, KFC). And anyway, does Ben think a hot dog is a sandwich – or maybe it’s a hand-wich? At the very least, we know where the best dog in Chicago is – Portillo’s, started by a former Cabrini-Green resident.   Be sure to catch Ben at NACCED’s annual conference coming up Sept. 23-26 in Minneapolis, MN, where he will be the keynote speaker and signing books. While there, you’ll have a chance to bid on a special Holistic Housing Show bundle during the silent auction – including a $50 gift certificate and t-shirt from our studio/restaurant, Chatter, and the opportunity to call into the show on a future episode!

In this 13th episode, Charlie’s Angels are joined by Doug Ryan. Doug, the Senior Director of Affordable Homeownership for Prosperity Now, also serves as an adjunct instructor at American University’s Department of Justice, Law & Criminology. In this wide ranging conversation, Doug discusses his experience working in local government, why homeownership still makes sense for a lot of Americans and how bringing new players into the economy benefits everyone. Plus, who is Fudgie the (ice cream) Whale? And is Doug a punk rock guy at heart? Bonus game time: Charlie’s Angels try to stump Doug with true and false facts about manufactured housing (does Kid Rock live in a manufactured home? Should you visit the RV hall of fame? Tune in to find out!). The Angels also mark the podcast’s one-year anniversary and regale the audience with tales of taking former #housingpodcast guests out to eat hot dogs at Ben’s Chili Bowl to celebrate. Many shameless plugs for the upcoming annual conference (#NACCED18!) are made.   Register for the 2018 NACCED Conference, Sept. 23-26 in Minneapolis, MN: https://www.nacced.org/page/Annual2018   Follow us on Twitter: @HousingPodcast

In this episode of #housingpodcast we talk to Rachel Reilly, Director of Impact Investing for Enterprise Community Partners, about a very important economic development topic: Opportunity Zones! This new community investment incentive connects private capital with low-income communities across America. It’s new, it’s innovative, it’s got a lotta potential, and it’s coming to a census tract near you. Plus, Rachel shares what it was like serving in elected office in DC (sometimes people in the grocery store yell at you), her life-changing experience riding a train cross country for the “Millenial Train Project” and how everyone has the ability to change the world they live in, right where they are. Also, Charlie’s Angels dish on NACCED’s cowboy-tastic summer meeting in Nashville and give you tips on what to do if a wild cougar takes a nap in your living room (don’t try to remove it via telepathy).   Special thanks to our sponsor, the Regional Development Funding Corporation of Pittsburgh! https://rdfcpgh.wordpress.com/about/   Register for the 2018 NACCED Conference, Sept. 23-26 in Minneapolis, MN: https://www.nacced.org/page/Annual2018   Follow us on Twitter: @HousingPodcast

In this summery edition of the #housingpodcast, Laura, Heather and Sarah are joined by Manuel Ochoa, the Director of Federal Affairs for the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB). In a career that has taken him from the DC government to HUD to the nonprofit sector, Manuel shares his experience on disaster relief, what community asset building means (wealth and business creation!) and why it’s important to be a jack of all trades in the affordable housing policy world. Plus, learn about his teenage years in Miami where he may or may not have worn shoulder pads and pink blazers, and if, given a magic wand, what he’d do to CDBG (spoiler alert: double it). Plus Charlie’s Angels discuss the absurdity of “IHOB” and other marketing campaign failures, the discovery that a Seattle hot dog includes cream cheese and grilled vegetables, and a shout out to a very special listener who has been inspired to see what she can do to address housing issues in her community.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, rate us, and follow us on Twitter at @HousingPodcast!

In this tenth (!!) episode of the Holistic Housing Podcast, the NACCED crew is joined by Bob Simpson, VP of Multifamily and Green Finance for Fannie Mae. Bob shares his perspective on the positive multi-generational effects of healthy and affordable housing, how Fannie Mae is investing in people and not just properties, why Fox was totally wrong to cancel “Firefly,” and why watching Star Trek is a better investment than business school (you’ll learn the same stuff). Plus, Charlie’s Angels tackle issues like whether ketchup ice cream is worth trying and whether Harry and Meghan are going to last. And don’t forget to listen all the way to the end for a special bonus conversation with one of Pittsburgh’s favorite sons, NACCED Board Member Jim Johnston, who is, as it turns out, highly superstitious when it comes to hockey.

On this episode of the #housingpodcast, the NACCED crew are joined by Diane Yentel, the oft-quoted and influential CEO & President of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. This conversation touches on everything from benefits cuts to getting out the vote, and why it’s critical to build the political will to solve issues like homelessness. We also learn that not only is Diane a pro at coalition building (and maintaining a highly relevant Twitter feed), but she’s also very good at coming up with a theme song on the spot. Plus, find out what Diane’s TED talk would be about, hear Laura do a terrible impression of a robot, and Sarah reveals she has an alternate personality that only comes out at the beach. As usual, Heather asks all the smart questions. What a show!