ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

Katie Goar
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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.

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 140: Evan Holladay, Founder & CEO, Holladay Ventures

    In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie sits down with Evan Holladay, founder and CEO of Holladay Ventures, to explore what it truly takes to build affordable housing with lasting community impact Evan shares his path into real estate development, starting with a chance college connection and growing into a career shaped by persistence, curiosity, and service. He explains why affordable housing sits at the intersection of people, design, and opportunity, and why building alone will never solve the housing crisis without stronger systems and partnerships. The conversation dives into Evan’s work mentoring the next generation of developers through Affordable Housing Development Mastery, including why access to knowledge, coaching, and encouragement often determines who enters the field. Katie and Evan also break down real development projects, including Stonebridge Lofts and the Samaritan Recovery Community, showing how mixed-income housing, sustainability, and nonprofit partnerships change lives beyond the buildings themselves. You will hear an honest look at development hurdles, from zoning delays and layered financing to construction volatility, along with clear insight into where policy, local leadership, and pre-development reform could remove barriers and accelerate housing production. This episode speaks to housing leaders, policymakers, nonprofit partners, and anyone who wants a realistic view of how affordable housing moves from vision to impact.

    41 min

  2. JAN 20

    Episode 139: Tiffany G. Dickerson, “The Housing Highlighter”, Interest Platforms

    Tiffany G. Dickerson, known across the industry as the Housing Highlighter, joins ChangeMakers with Katie Goar for a conversation about why public housing authorities must take control of their own story.Tiffany shares her unconventional path into affordable housing, moving from probation and parole work into resident services and eventually into communications strategy. Along the way, she saw a major gap. Housing authorities were doing meaningful work, but no one outside their walls knew about it.You hear why consistent communication matters, how silence allows others to define your narrative, and why positive stories help balance inevitable challenges. Tiffany breaks down real examples of resident services programs, from financial literacy and driver education to youth initiatives, scholarships, and community partnerships. She explains how these efforts build trust, improve engagement, and change how media and stakeholders respond.The conversation also tackles common mistakes housing authorities make online, including deleting comments, overusing flyers on social media, ignoring accessibility, and centering messaging too heavily on leadership instead of residents. Tiffany offers practical guidance on handling criticism, responding professionally to complaints, and using feedback as a system check rather than a threat.This episode is essential listening for housing authority leaders, communications teams, and community partners who want to strengthen trust, improve engagement, and make sure the full story of affordable housing gets heard.

    46 min

  3. JAN 6

    Episode 138: Amy Ginger, National Leased Housing Association & Fairfax County Government

    Amy Ginger joins ChangeMakers with Katie Goar for a grounded conversation on what works in affordable housing and what slows progress. Drawing on more than 25 years across HUD, local government, and national leadership, Amy explains why Housing Choice Vouchers matter, why utilization dropped after the pandemic, and what housing authorities do every day to keep people housed. Amy shares practical lessons from Fairfax County, including longer search times, market aligned payment standards, and geography based strategies. She also breaks down how Moving to Work flexibility fuels housing production, employer partnerships, and faster development. The discussion covers funding stability, regulatory friction, and why housing policy drives economic stability for entire communities. As President of the National Leased Housing Association, Amy offers a clear view of national priorities, bipartisan reform efforts, and the future of voucher and subsidy programs. The episode closes with direct myth busting around housing authorities and voucher participants, grounded in data and lived experience.

    33 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    Episode 137: Dennis C. Shea, Executive Vice President, J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy

    Affordable housing is no longer a coastal issue or a niche policy topic. It touches every community, every income bracket, and every generation. In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar speaks with Dennis Shea, Executive Director of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, about why housing affordability has shifted from a “silent crisis” to a national priority. Dennis shares how growing up in a modest New York City home shaped his understanding of place, stability, and opportunity. He breaks down the data connecting housing to health, academic success, labor mobility, and economic growth. He also explains why bipartisan momentum is finally emerging, from federal legislation like the Road to Housing Act, to state-level zoning reforms, to employers stepping in to support their workforce. Katie and Dennis dig into the most promising ideas on the table, including supply expansion, preservation of existing homes, voucher improvements, zoning updates, and targeted deregulation. They also talk about what real collaboration looks like at the local level and how communities can build common ground when resistance to new housing arises. If you care about the future of affordable housing, workforce mobility, or community development, this conversation gives you a clear and hopeful view of where progress is happening now.

    33 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    Episode 136: Laura Archuleta, President and CEO, Jamboree Housing Corporation

    Episode 136: Laura Archuleta, President and CEO, Jamboree Housing Corporation On this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, we meet Laura Archuleta, President and CEO of Jamboree Housing Corporation, one of California’s leading nonprofit affordable housing developers serving more than 20,000 residents statewide. Laura shares how her mother’s experience growing up in public housing and her own family’s story of resilience shaped her lifelong commitment to housing as a foundation for opportunity. She and Katie explore Jamboree’s innovative developments across California, from motel conversions for formerly homeless residents to permanent supportive housing for veterans like Heroes Landing in Santa Ana and Salida del Sol in San Juan Capistrano. Laura explains how Jamboree’s partnerships with cities, churches, healthcare systems, and even Disneyland are redefining community-driven housing solutions. She also discusses how thoughtful design, wraparound services, and education can overcome public fear and help residents thrive. This conversation offers a masterclass in how mission, collaboration, and courage can turn affordable housing into lasting community change.

    41 min

  6. 10/28/2025

    Episode 135: Neil Brickfield, Executive Director, Pinellas County Housing Authority

    In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, we meet Neil Brickfield, Executive Director of the Pinellas County Housing Authority in Florida.  Neil shares how his journey from running the Police Athletic League to leading one of the state’s largest housing authorities shaped his mission to serve families and seniors with dignity and stability. He and Katie discuss the challenges of building affordable housing in one of Florida’s most densely populated counties, how partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Evera Healthcare are improving residents’ quality of life, and why projects like Flats on Fourth and Heritage Oaks are redefining senior housing. Neil also opens up about innovative solutions such as Florida’s first gray water recycling system, the Live Local Act, and his work on the SERC–NAHRO Legislative Committee to expand access and streamline development.  His story highlights what it means to lead with purpose, community, and heart in the fight for housing stability.

    34 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    Episode 134: Scott Bader, President, Door County Housing Partnership

    In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, we meet Scott Bader, President of the Door County Housing Partnership.  With more than 40 years in real estate, Scott shares how he shifted from selling vacation homes in Wisconsin’s “Cape Cod of the Midwest” to leading efforts that create permanent affordable housing for the local workforce. Scott explains how the community land trust model works, why Door County’s unique mix of tourism and second-home ownership has fueled a housing crisis, and how his team collaborates with partners like Habitat for Humanity to keep homes affordable for teachers, nurses, service workers, and other essential members of the community. You’ll hear about the challenges of scaling workforce housing in a resort destination, the importance of donor and government partnerships, and how small wins like one home at a time can make a lasting impact. This conversation highlights a practical model that other communities facing housing shortages can adopt, and it shows how local leadership and collaboration can build not just homes, but stronger communities.

    23 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    Episode 133: Maura Collins, Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency

    In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar sits down with Maura Collins, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA). With more than two decades at VHFA, Maura shares how Vermont’s unique rural landscape shapes its housing challenges and the innovative strategies her agency is using to respond.  From the state’s growing second-home market to the pandemic-driven housing crunch, Maura explains why Vermont needs to triple its home construction by 2030 and how employers, policymakers, and communities are coming together through initiatives like “Let’s Build Homes.”  She also highlights VHFA’s upgraded credit rating, its 50-year milestone, and the delicate balance of advancing financial sustainability while staying true to its social mission.  Katie and Maura explore the real-world impact of rising housing costs on everyday Vermonters, the role of public-private partnerships, and why affordable housing solutions must evolve beyond short-term fixes. If you’re interested in innovative approaches to solving the housing shortage and what it takes to keep small communities thriving, this conversation offers both practical insights and inspiration.

    41 min
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About

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.

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