Podcast
ChangeMakers with Katie Goar
Hosted by Katie Goar · EN
Affordable housing is the backbone of better opportunities for all. ChangeMakers with Katie Goar analyzes the issues and challenges being faced in affordable housing today. In each episode, Katie speaks with finance experts, thought leaders, and change-makers to explore innovative solutions that provide more affordable housing options across the country. Whether you want to learn more about economic development, government funding, why affordable housing makes good economic policy, and why the total community benefits from affordable housing, this is the podcast for you.
12episodes
Episodes
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Episode 151: Sarah Buchanan, Executive Vice President, San Diego Housing Federation
2w ago00:26:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie sits down with Sarah Buchanan, Executive Vice President of the San Diego Housing Federation, to talk about the real challenges facing affordable housing in one of the country’s most expensive regions.Sarah shares how she entered the housing field, what makes San Diego’s housing market so difficult, and why residents now need to earn around $50 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment. She also explains the difference between naturally occurring affordable housing and tax-credit affordable housing, the need for roughly 100,000 more units in San Diego, and the role coalition-building plays in creating real change.The conversation also explores homelessness, healthcare, hunger, childcare, workforce development, lived experience advocacy, and why self-care matters for people doing mission-driven housing work.If you care about affordable housing, homelessness prevention, community development, or the future of thriving cities, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it takes to move from crisis to solutions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to ChangeMakers00:13 Meet Sarah Buchanan00:50 Connecting Through the Women’s Affordable Housing Network02:32 Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care in Housing Work03:06 Sarah’s Path Into Affordable Housing05:04 The Reality of San Diego’s Housing Market05:56 Why Residents Need $50 an Hour for a Two-Bedroom Apartment06:22 San Diego’s 100,000-Unit Housing Gap07:31 What the San Diego Housing Federation Does08:29 Training the Affordable Housing Workforce10:35 Building Coalitions Around Basic Needs11:06 Housing, Homelessness, Hunger, Healthcare, and Childcare12:20 Centering Lived Experience in Advocacy13:05 Signs of Progress in San Diego14:40 What People Misunderstand About Affordable Housing16:44 Why Affordable Housing Projects Are So Complex18:18 Sarah’s Leadership Approach19:58 The Big Idea: A One-Stop Housing Database21:43 How Technology Could Improve Housing Access22:51 What Drives People in Affordable Housing24:26 Self-Care, Boundaries, and Compassion Fatigue26:19 Closing Thoughts
Transcribe →Episode 150: Marie Cervay Hickle, HTC & NMTC Relationship Manager , PNC
4w ago00:34:57Tap to summarizeHistoric buildings can become a powerful part of a community’s future.In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie sits down with Marie Cervay Hickle, Vice President at PNC, to explain how historic tax credits and new markets tax credits help bring aging buildings back to life.Marie has more than 15 years of experience in community development finance. She has helped originate and close more than $450 million in tax credit equity across the country.The conversation explores how developers can turn vacant mills, overlooked landmarks, former schools, and other underused properties into housing and community spaces. Marie breaks down how historic tax credits work, why experienced financing partners matter, and how new markets tax credits can support projects that bring healthcare, education, jobs, and social services into low-income communities.Katie and Marie also discuss the renovation of Cleveland’s West Side Market and a 125-year-old South Carolina denim mill that became a 205-unit apartment community with lofts, a fitness center, coworking space, and modern amenities.You’ll learn:• How historic tax credits help fill gaps in a development capital stack• Which buildings can qualify for historic tax credits• How new markets tax credits support community development• Why adaptive reuse can strengthen neighborhoods• How banks evaluate community development projects• Why redevelopment can create challenges around gentrification• How developers can begin the tax credit processLearn more about Katie Goar and Quadel at quadel.com.Chapters00:00 How historic buildings can shape the future of communities01:14 Meet Marie Cervay Hickle of PNC01:44 Marie’s path from engineering to community development finance03:52 The Cleveland hotel renovation that shaped Marie’s career05:00 Why new markets tax credits matter for low-income communities06:31 Historic tax credits explained09:53 Do historic tax credits make renovations more attractive?12:40 Restoring Cleveland’s West Side Market15:31 How developers can begin the historic tax credit process19:54 New markets tax credits explained22:30 Which projects can qualify for new markets tax credits?24:29 How PNC evaluates community development investments27:05 Can redevelopment transform an entire neighborhood?28:38 The difficult balance between revitalization and gentrification30:55 PNC’s priority markets for community investment32:15 How a 125-year-old denim mill became 205 apartments34:15 Final thoughts
Transcribe →Episode 149: Whitney Hill, CEO & Co-Founder, SnapADU
Jun 900:26:57Tap to summarizeCalifornia’s housing crisis has pushed families, investors, and homeowners to rethink what housing can look like.In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar sits down with Whitney Hill, co-founder and CEO of SnapADU, to explore how accessory dwelling units, better known as ADUs, are changing the housing landscape across San Diego and beyond.Whitney shares how SnapADU launched during the 2020 shutdown, why California’s regulatory changes created a massive opportunity, and how her company has now completed more than 100 detached ADU builds.The conversation covers:• The real drivers behind ADU demand• Why families are embracing multi-generational living• How homeowners are using ADUs for wealth building• The biggest bottlenecks slowing housing development• Why permitting and utility regulations remain a challenge• The future of affordable housing in California• What most people misunderstand about ADUsWhitney also explains why the most successful ADU projects focus on quality of life, thoughtful design, and long-term planning instead of simply maximizing density.If you’re interested in affordable housing, real estate investing, urban development, entrepreneurship, or the future of housing policy, this episode delivers practical insight into one of the fastest-growing housing trends in America.Subscribe for more conversations with leaders creating real-world solutions in housing, healthcare, business, and community development.Topics Covered / What You’ll LearnWhat an ADU actually isWhy California changed ADU lawsHow Snap ADU grew during COVIDThe economics behind ADU investingWhy multi-generational housing is growingThe biggest construction and permitting bottlenecksHow homeowners use ADUs to offset mortgage costsThe future of housing density in CaliforniaWhy San Diego became a hotspot for ADUsHow thoughtful housing design improves quality of lifeThe hidden complexity behind “simple” ADU buildsHow Whitney Hill built a niche construction companyTimestamps00:00 Intro00:12 Meet Whitney Hill of Snap ADU01:00 How California’s ADU law changes created opportunity02:40 The story behind the name Snap ADU03:30 Why San Diego became an ADU hotspot05:10 Who is building ADUs today?06:30 Community concerns around density and parking08:25 Housing demand and city capacity09:45 Why California has embraced ADUs11:00 ADUs as a wealth-building tool12:15 Multi-generational living success stories14:20 The realities of running an ADU construction company16:20 The biggest bottlenecks slowing housing growth17:45 ADU design trends and creative layouts19:15 Whitney Hill on leadership and entrepreneurship21:00 Yale, NYU, and finding her professional niche22:40 Snap ADU’s future growth strategy24:30 Can ADUs help affordable housing?26:20 Closing thoughts
Transcribe →Episode 148: Jason Blain, Senior Commercial Banker, Independent Bank
May 2600:38:34Tap to summarizeAffordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing communities today. But how does it actually get funded?In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar sits down with Jason Blain, Senior Commercial Banker at Independent Bank*, to break down how banks, developers, and public programs work together to create affordable housing.Jason shares a behind-the-scenes look at the real financial tools driving housing development, including tax credits, rate buydowns, and community partnerships. He also explains why homeownership still plays a critical role in building long-term wealth and stability.This conversation goes beyond theory. You’ll hear how affordable housing projects come together, what slows them down, and what needs to change to scale solutions.*Independent Bank is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with qualified financial or legal professionals. Banking products, terms, rates, and regulations may vary and are subject to change. Please consult your financial institution or a licensed advisor before making any financial decisions.🎯 What You’ll Learn:How banks fund affordable housing projectsThe role of low-income housing tax creditsWhy affordable housing takes years to developHow rate buydown programs reduce costsThe difference between rental housing and homeownershipWhy small housing projects still create life-changing impactWhat needs to change to increase housing supply⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro: The affordable housing challenge01:10 – Jason Blain’s background and early influence03:14 – What a regional bank actually does06:24 – When banks enter housing projects08:25 – Federal Home Loan Bank explained10:22 – Rate buydown programs (in simple terms)13:53 – Why tax credits matter17:47 – Policy changes that could unlock more housing19:15 – The Ability Way project (real-world impact)23:28 – Why some housing projects feel “risky”25:41 – Homeownership vs rental housing29:47 – Recognition and community impact35:51 – Why small housing projects matter
Transcribe →Episode 147: Shaina Fite, Public Housing Authority Manager, Yardi
May 1200:43:19Tap to summarizeWhat happens when housing authorities stop pushing paper and start moving people into homes faster?In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Shaina Fite, Public Housing Manager at Yardi, breaks down how outdated systems are slowing down affordable housing and how technology is starting to change that. Shaina shares her journey from growing up in public housing to helping distribute over $200 million in rental assistance, offering a perspective shaped by both lived experience and industry expertise.The conversation explores why paper-based systems create delays and risk, how automation speeds up housing placement, and what artificial intelligence will change in the next 12 to 24 months. You will also hear how transparency improves trust for residents and agencies, and why the demand for affordable housing continues to rise.This episode moves beyond policy and gets into the real systems behind housing access and what needs to change to serve people faster and more effectively.⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Intro00:13 Meet Shaina Fite01:25 How she got into affordable housing03:31 Growing up in public housing06:01 How lived experience shapes leadership10:49 What Yardi does and why it matters12:29 Why paper systems slow everything down14:49 How automation speeds up housing16:36 Transparency for residents and agencies19:13 Real-time data and decision making19:57 The role of AI in housing22:45 How AI frees up human work24:30 Why agencies resist technology26:10 The “bootcamp” of software implementation27:39 Getting teams to adopt new systems30:22 Why “we’ve always done it this way” is dangerous32:28 The real cost of outdated systems34:00 What Yardi does better36:17 The future of AI in housing37:41 Will AI replace jobs?39:31 The growing need for affordable housing42:18 Final thoughts
Transcribe →Episode 146: Jared Jones Co-Founder, Middle Housing Partners
Apr 2800:44:12Tap to summarizeAmerica doesn’t have a housing construction problem. It has a rules problem.In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Jared Jones, co-founder of Middle Housing Partners, breaks down how microfill housing, ADUs, duplexes, and small multi-unit developments are reshaping affordability.Jared explains why millions of homes are missing from the market, how outdated zoning laws slowed growth for decades, and how new legislation is opening the door for everyday developers to build again.You’ll hear why nurses, teachers, and working families are priced out of their own communities, and how small-scale housing projects are bringing them back.If you care about housing, policy, or the future of your community, this conversation lays out a clear path forward.00:00 Intro00:13 Meet Jared Jones and Middle Housing Partners01:10 From mortgage industry to housing developer02:32 What is microfill housing?03:51 How new laws changed development06:36 Why zoning reform matters09:30 How neighborhoods react to new housing12:25 The real scale of the housing shortage14:18 Why building takes too long16:12 Why Wall Street dominates housing18:40 SB9 and new housing laws explained21:44 Why current solutions aren’t enough23:07 The “starter home” solution25:40 Workforce housing crisis explained26:38 Why nurses can’t afford homes31:02 Real community impact of housing shortages34:50 The Middle Housing Revolution book37:10 Fixing the broken system41:21 What’s next: scaling the solution
Transcribe →Episode 145: Beth Silverman, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Lotus Campaign
Apr 1400:35:27Tap to summarizeMost solutions to homelessness focus on policy. Beth Silverman is taking a different approach.On this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar sits down with Beth Silverman, co-founder and executive director of the Lotus Campaign, to break down how private sector partnerships are creating real housing solutions.Beth explains how her model connects landlords, developers, and social services to reduce risk, remove barriers, and create access to housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.You’ll hear why homelessness is often misunderstood, how small financial gaps keep people out of housing, and what it takes to build a system that actually works at scale.If you care about affordable housing, real estate, or social impact, this conversation gives you a clear look at what works.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Beth Silverman00:45 How Lotus Campaign started03:00 The real problem behind homelessness05:20 Why the private sector is missing from the solution08:00 The Lotus model explained11:30 Breaking myths about homelessness15:00 How to get landlords to say yes18:30 Risk, incentives, and real estate alignment22:00 Tools that help people access housing26:00 Real success stories (Mario’s journey)30:00 Scaling the model across cities34:00 Final thoughts on solving homelessness
Transcribe →Episode 144: Morgan Mansa, Director of Housing Affordability, Wake County, NC
Mar 3100:22:31Tap to summarizeHousing affordability is one of the fastest growing challenges in America. In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Morgan Mansa breaks down what’s really happening behind the housing crisis, and why the solution is more complex than most people think. Morgan is the Director of Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization for Wake County, one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. She has helped drive thousands of housing solutions by focusing on systems that move people from instability to long-term housing. In this conversation, she shares: Why building more housing alone will not solve affordability The importance of where housing is built, not just how much How thoughtful placement impacts opportunity, education, and mobility A real-world example of a mixed community that blends families, seniors, and artists Why the term “affordable housing” might be part of the problemThis episode challenges the common narrative and offers a more practical look at how communities can create housing that works.
Transcribe →Episode 143: Dontrelle Young Foster, President & CEO, Housing Authority of the Birmingham District
Mar 1700:32:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie sits down with Dontrelle Young Foster, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, to explore what it takes to transform communities from the inside out. Drawing on 25 years of leadership and service, Foster shares how HABD’s 90 year legacy is evolving through bold redevelopment, public private partnerships, and a long term strategy called Thrive 2035 aimed at revitalizing 12 communities and thousands of housing units.Foster reflects on her journey from finance analyst to CEO, her early connection with residents, and how housing work moves far beyond bricks and mortar to create pathways for education, workforce mobility, and generational wealth. She addresses the tension between providing support and promoting self sufficiency, highlights the impact of Family Self Sufficiency programs, and explains why affordable housing is a “hand up” that stabilizes families one day away from homelessness.Raised in Selma and shaped by its civil rights history, Foster brings faith, humility, and lived experience to her leadership. From expanding daycare access to addressing long waiting lists and funding gaps, she outlines a clear vision for economic mobility and homeownership across Birmingham. For housing professionals and emerging leaders, this conversation delivers practical wisdom on resilience, partnership building, and leading with mission at scale.
Transcribe →Episode 142: Cathe Dykstra, President & CEO, Family Scholar House
Mar 300:32:12Tap to summarizeOn this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie sits down with Family Scholar House President and CEO Cathe Dykstra for a bold conversation about what affordable housing should really accomplish. Cathe leads one of the nation’s most comprehensive models linking housing, education, and long-term economic mobility. Serving more than 106,000 households across 48 states, Family Scholar House helps single parents and young adults not only secure stable housing but earn college degrees, build careers, and move permanently off government assistance. This episode challenges the “bootstrap” myth and reframes affordable housing as a pathway out of poverty, not a lifetime in it. Cathe shares powerful stories of resilience, explains the economic cost of trauma, and reveals how wraparound services, data tracking across 250 household metrics, and cross-sector partnerships are transforming families and influencing policy. If you care about housing, workforce development, trauma recovery, or scalable solutions to poverty, this conversation delivers both heart and hard data.
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