ChangeMakers With Katie Goar podcast

41:38

In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie sits down with Bob Simpson, founder of Simpson Impact Strategies and CEO of the Multifamily Impact Council, to discuss the critical role of affordable housing in strengthening communities and driving economic growth. With over 25 years of experience in housing finance and policy, Bob shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in the multifamily housing industry, including the need for innovative financing solutions, regulatory streamlining, and the importance of impact investing. Bob delves into the mission of the Multifamily Impact Council, which aims to establish industry standards for impact investing in affordable housing, ensuring that investments not only deliver strong financial returns but also improve lives and build resilient communities. He also addresses the complexities of affordable housing development, the role of private investors, and the controversial topic of rent control. Throughout the conversation, Bob emphasizes the importance of creating more affordable housing to address the growing demand, while also preserving existing units. He highlights successful initiatives in cities like Dallas, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, and discusses how state and local governments can incentivize affordable housing development. Tune in to hear Bob’s vision for the future of affordable housing, his thoughts on the intersection of policy and investment, and why he believes affordable housing is not just a social good, but also a sound economic policy. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or simply someone passionate about housing equity, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can work together to create more sustainable and inclusive communities.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 118: Paige Lohoefer, Founder of The Birthday Party Project 36:07

22 days ago36:07

36:07

In this inspiring episode of ChangeMakers, Katie welcomes Paige Lohoefer, the visionary founder of The Birthday Party Project. Paige shares her incredible journey from being a successful wedding planner to creating a nationwide nonprofit that has brought joy to over 73,000 children experiencing homelessness through unforgettable birthday celebrations. Paige opens up about the pivotal moment that sparked her mission—a powerful image of a child in Haiti that moved her to action. She discusses how The Birthday Party Project not only celebrates children on their special day but also fosters hope, confidence, and a sense of belonging in kids and families facing unimaginable challenges. Paige also highlights the profound impact these celebrations have on volunteers, families, and the broader community. With The Birthday Party Project now active in 20 cities across the U.S., Paige delves into the logistics of scaling her nonprofit, the importance of community support, and how she mobilizes over 35,000 volunteers to make these celebrations possible. She also addresses common misconceptions about homelessness and emphasizes the power of joy and connection in transforming lives. Tune in to hear Paige’s heartfelt advice for anyone looking to launch their own initiative and make a difference in their community. This episode is a testament to the power of one person’s vision to create ripple effects of hope and joy across the nation. If you’re inspired to support The Birthday Party Project or want to learn more about their mission, visit their website and see how you can get involved.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 117: Terri M. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Housing 46:28

5 weeks ago46:28

46:28

In this episode of Changemakers with Katie Goar, we sit down with Terri Lee, President and CEO of Atlanta Housing, to explore her journey as a leader in housing policy and urban development. Terri shares her experience as Atlanta's first Chief Housing Officer, her transition to leading Atlanta Housing, and the transformative initiatives she has championed to address affordability in one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. From the One Atlanta Housing Affordable Action Plan to Atlanta Housing’s efforts in preserving and creating thousands of units of affordable housing, Terri discusses the challenges and opportunities in combating the housing crisis. She also reflects on the personal experiences that drive her passion, including her childhood in rural Louisiana and the impact of stable housing on family well-being. Tune in to hear about Atlanta’s bold housing strategies, including Choice Neighborhoods revitalization efforts, policy reforms, and community engagement approaches, all aimed at making the city a place where long-time residents and newcomers alike can thrive.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 116: Angela Jiménez, CEO Housing Authority of the City of High Point 34:14

7 weeks ago34:14

34:14

In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie welcomes Angela Jimenez, the first female CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of High Point. From her personal journey as a former public housing resident to her current leadership role, Angela shares how her experiences shape her approach to transforming affordable housing. She discusses innovative initiatives including the conversion of outdated housing developments into modern communities, the creation of the Cecil Brockman Academic Center for youth education, and comprehensive programs supporting residents from early childhood through senior years. Angela provides insights into High Point's affordable housing challenges, including a 10,000-unit shortage and the impact of COVID-19 on the local housing market. Through her leadership, the Housing Authority focuses on creating environments where public housing is indistinguishable from private developments while empowering residents through education, financial literacy, and pathways to homeownership. Angela's personal story of experiencing homelessness and living in public housing adds depth to her mission of breaking stereotypes and building stronger communities.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 115: Leonard Spicer, Executive Director of the Newark Housing Authority 45:25

9 weeks ago45:25

45:25

In this episode of Changemakers, Katie speaks with Leonard Spicer, Executive Director of the Newark Housing Authority. Leonard shares his journey into affordable housing, beginning with an unexpected entry at the Chicago Housing Authority and leading to significant roles within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He describes the challenges and rewards of his work in Newark, emphasizing a balanced approach between development and maintaining quality in existing housing stock. Leonard discusses the importance of community input, long-term partnerships, and strategies for addressing Newark’s affordable housing needs, including innovative approaches to rent control and digital inclusion. He also highlights his dedication to mentorship and community service. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of housing leadership and the complexities of community-focused development.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 114 | Part Two: Sarah Kahn, President & CEO, Housing Forward 17:25

10 weeks ago17:25

17:25

In part two of this inspiring conversation, Katie continues her discussion with Sarah Kahn, President and CEO of Housing Forward, about their transformative work in combating homelessness. Sarah shares insights into how Housing Forward addresses family homelessness, the critical role of supportive resources like furnished homes, and the importance of housing stability for families. Through personal stories, including powerful success stories from their “Street to Home” initiative, Sarah highlights the profound impact of compassionate and data-driven approaches. This episode delves into the challenges posed by systemic issues such as the affordable housing crisis and the pivotal role of public policy in making homelessness rare and brief. Sarah outlines actionable ways for listeners to support this mission and her long-term vision for sustainable change. For anyone looking to better understand and contribute to meaningful progress in homelessness advocacy, this episode is essential listening.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 114 | Part One: Sarah Kahn, President & CEO, Housing Forward 18:02

11 weeks ago18:02

18:02

In this episode, Katie sits down with Sarah Kahn, President and CEO of Housing Forward, to explore the impactful work being done to combat homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties. Sarah shares her journey into the field, driven by a deep-seated commitment to social equity and sustainable housing solutions. As the head of the lead agency for the homeless response system, she discusses Housing Forward’s role in coordinating effective, data-driven strategies across the region. Listen in as Sarah highlights the success of their unified approach, which has already led to a 24% reduction in unsheltered homelessness despite national rates rising. She offers insight into critical interventions, such as housing-based solutions and community-focused partnerships, that have proven transformative. Sarah also dives into the structural components of their success, including shared goals, coordinated funding, and the power of public-private collaboration. For listeners passionate about social change, this episode provides an inspiring roadmap for impactful action and meaningful progress.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Best Of | Jennifer Keogh, VP of Operations & Affordable Housing, Progress Residential 46:51

12 weeks ago46:51

46:51

Katie looks back at her inspiring conversation with ChangeMaker Jennifer Keogh, Vice President of Operations and Affordable Housing at Progress Residential. With over 20 years of leadership in affordable housing, Jennifer brought a wealth of experience and insight to the discussion. Formerly Deputy Executive Director at the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Chair of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), she now oversaw operations at one of the nation’s largest single-family rental providers, driving initiatives to make rental living more accessible and affordable for families across the country. Last spring, Jennifer shared her career journey and discussed Progress Residential’s innovative approaches to increasing housing accessibility. She reflected on her leadership during her time in Minneapolis amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following George Floyd’s death, opening up about the challenges and lessons learned while serving the community’s most vulnerable residents through those difficult times .Katie also invited Jennifer to share her vision for the future, including Progress Residential’s plans to reshape the single-family rental market through affordable housing initiatives, sustainable building practices, and community-focused programs.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Best Of | Grace Ruiz-Stepter Director, Housing and Community Development, City of Anaheim 38:51

13 weeks ago38:51

38:51

Katie revisits her inspiring conversation with Grace Ruiz-Stepter, Director of the Housing and Community Development Department for the City of Anaheim. With over 20 years of experience managing housing programs at federal and local levels, Grace was a passionate leader dedicated to expanding affordable housing access and fostering community development. Before her current role, she held key leadership positions at the Housing Authority of Los Angeles County, where she managed initiatives that empowered communities through her advocacy and strategic vision. In this episode, recorded in last winter, Katie and Grace explored Grace's journey to leadership, her vision for equitable, affordable housing, and the innovative strategies she was implementing in Anaheim. Grace opened up about the challenges driving her commitment and shared valuable advice for changemakers aiming to make a difference in their communities.Grace also provided insights into Anaheim’s current housing challenges, including the “silver tsunami” of aging Baby Boomers who will need accessible, affordable senior housing. Drawing from her experience in both LA and Anaheim, she compared housing affordability challenges and highlighted how her department was addressing these issues to support Anaheim’s most vulnerable seniors. Tune in for a powerful discussion that will leave you inspired to create change in your own community, driven by Grace’s seasoned leadership and dedication to building a better future through housing advocacy…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 113: Ali Solis, Managing Principal, Solis Strategic Solutions (S3) 45:30

14 weeks ago45:30

45:30

Katie welcomes ChangeMaker Ali Solis, the Managing Principal at Solis Strategic Solutions (S3) and a leading advocate in housing policy. Ali shares her inspiring journey from private sector beginnings to a pivotal role in national housing initiatives, including the ACTION Campaign. She delves into the challenges of manufactured housing, the importance of public-private partnerships, and her work to advance sustainable, affordable housing solutions nationwide. Ali reflects on the power of storytelling in building awareness around housing issues and offers valuable insights for emerging leaders and advocates. From local communities to federal policymakers, she emphasizes the need for collaboration and innovation to address America’s housing crisis. Join Katie and Ali for a conversation that shines a light on impactful strategies and stories, offering hope and practical advice for those committed to making a difference in housing.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 112 | Part Two: Tess Hembree, Executive Director of the Council of State Community Development Agencies 15:27

15 weeks ago15:27

15:27

In the second part of Katie's conversation with Tess Hembree, Executive Director of COSCDA, they delve deeper into the technical assistance her organization provides to state agencies navigating the complexities of federal funding. They explore the challenges faced by state and local governments in administering programs like CDBG and CDBG-DR. Tess highlights the importance of training and capacity building, particularly for new staff. They also discuss the development of resources and tools to assist communities in effectively utilizing these funds. Join Katie and Tess as they explore the critical role of COSCDA in supporting state and local governments in their efforts to address community development and disaster recovery needs.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 112 | Part One: Tess Hembree, Executive Director of the Council of State Community Development Agencies 18:54

16 weeks ago18:54

18:54

In this episode, Katie is join by ChangeMaker, Tess Hembree, Executive Director of the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA). Tess is a seasoned advocate for state-level community development and affordable housing. From her early days as a temp worker to her current leadership role, Tess shares her inspiring journey and valuable insights. Listeners will delve into the challenges and triumphs of state-level community development, exploring the importance of strong partnerships and advocacy. Join us to uncover the passion and dedication that drives Tess's work, including her experiences at NAHRO and how they have shaped her career.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 111 | Part Two: Marion Mollegen McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, HUD 13:36

17 weeks ago13:36

13:36

In Part 2, Katie Goar continues her conversation with Marion McFadden, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development at HUD. Marion highlights a wide array of HUD programs, from homelessness prevention to affordable housing creation, and discusses their recent accomplishments. She emphasizes the success of HUD's Pro Housing program, which empowers communities to identify and tackle local barriers to housing development. Marion also discusses innovative housing solutions, such as manufactured housing and adaptive reuse, which are helping to address the nation's affordable housing crisis. She touches on the unique challenges rural communities face in securing federal resources and how HUD is partnering with the USDA to provide targeted support. Marion concludes by sharing her pride in HUD's efforts to elevate the voices of young people in addressing youth homelessness, ensuring the next generation has a strong role in shaping their futures.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 111 | Part One: Marion Mollegen McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, HUD 21:04

18 weeks ago21:04

21:04

Katie Goar speaks with Marion McFadden, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development at HUD. Marion shares her journey, beginning with her unexpected involvement in disaster recovery after 9/11, and reflects on how this shaped her passion for community resilience. She discusses the evolving role of HUD in addressing the growing frequency and severity of disasters, highlighting the importance of resilient infrastructure and smart rebuilding practices. Marion also explains the complex process behind disaster recovery funding and the steps HUD is taking to streamline the application process for faster, more efficient relief. She emphasizes the need to prioritize vulnerable populations and ensure that recovery efforts are equitable and inclusive. This insightful conversation sheds light on the critical role of public service in supporting communities in their most challenging times.…

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

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Episode 110 | Part Two: Tyrone Roderick Williams, CEO, Fresno Housing 25:25

19 weeks ago25:25