ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

Katie Goar

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. 4d ago

    Episode 149: Whitney Hill, CEO & Co-Founder, SnapADU

    California’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 ADUs Whitney 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 Learn What 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 company Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:12 Meet Whitney Hill of Snap ADU 01:00 How California’s ADU law changes created opportunity 02:40 The story behind the name Snap ADU 03:30 Why San Diego became an ADU hotspot 05:10 Who is building ADUs today? 06:30 Community concerns around density and parking 08:25 Housing demand and city capacity 09:45 Why California has embraced ADUs 11:00 ADUs as a wealth-building tool 12:15 Multi-generational living success stories 14:20 The realities of running an ADU construction company 16:20 The biggest bottlenecks slowing housing growth 17:45 ADU design trends and creative layouts 19:15 Whitney Hill on leadership and entrepreneurship 21:00 Yale, NYU, and finding her professional niche 22:40 Snap ADU’s future growth strategy 24:30 Can ADUs help affordable housing? 26:20 Closing thoughts

    27 min

  2. May 26

    Episode 148: Jason Blain, Senior Commercial Banker, Independent Bank

    Affordable 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 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro: The affordable housing challenge 01:10 – Jason Blain’s background and early influence 03:14 – What a regional bank actually does 06:24 – When banks enter housing projects 08:25 – Federal Home Loan Bank explained 10:22 – Rate buydown programs (in simple terms) 13:53 – Why tax credits matter 17:47 – Policy changes that could unlock more housing 19:15 – The Ability Way project (real-world impact) 23:28 – Why some housing projects feel “risky” 25:41 – Homeownership vs rental housing 29:47 – Recognition and community impact 35:51 – Why small housing projects matter

    39 min

  3. May 12

    Episode 147: Shaina Fite, Public Housing Authority Manager, Yardi

    What 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 Intro 00:13 Meet Shaina Fite 01:25 How she got into affordable housing 03:31 Growing up in public housing 06:01 How lived experience shapes leadership 10:49 What Yardi does and why it matters 12:29 Why paper systems slow everything down 14:49 How automation speeds up housing 16:36 Transparency for residents and agencies 19:13 Real-time data and decision making 19:57 The role of AI in housing 22:45 How AI frees up human work 24:30 Why agencies resist technology 26:10 The “bootcamp” of software implementation 27:39 Getting teams to adopt new systems 30:22 Why “we’ve always done it this way” is dangerous 32:28 The real cost of outdated systems 34:00 What Yardi does better 36:17 The future of AI in housing 37:41 Will AI replace jobs? 39:31 The growing need for affordable housing 42:18 Final thoughts

    43 min

  4. Apr 28

    Episode 146: Jared Jones Co-Founder, Middle Housing Partners

    America 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 Intro 00:13 Meet Jared Jones and Middle Housing Partners 01:10 From mortgage industry to housing developer 02:32 What is microfill housing? 03:51 How new laws changed development 06:36 Why zoning reform matters 09:30 How neighborhoods react to new housing 12:25 The real scale of the housing shortage 14:18 Why building takes too long 16:12 Why Wall Street dominates housing 18:40 SB9 and new housing laws explained 21:44 Why current solutions aren’t enough 23:07 The “starter home” solution 25:40 Workforce housing crisis explained 26:38 Why nurses can’t afford homes 31:02 Real community impact of housing shortages 34:50 The Middle Housing Revolution book 37:10 Fixing the broken system 41:21 What’s next: scaling the solution

    44 min

  5. Apr 14

    Episode 145: Beth Silverman, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Lotus Campaign

    Most 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. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Beth Silverman 00:45 How Lotus Campaign started 03:00 The real problem behind homelessness 05:20 Why the private sector is missing from the solution 08:00 The Lotus model explained 11:30 Breaking myths about homelessness 15:00 How to get landlords to say yes 18:30 Risk, incentives, and real estate alignment 22:00 Tools that help people access housing 26:00 Real success stories (Mario’s journey) 30:00 Scaling the model across cities 34:00 Final thoughts on solving homelessness

    35 min

  6. Mar 31

    Episode 144: Morgan Mansa, Director of Housing Affordability, Wake County, NC

    Housing 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 problem This episode challenges the common narrative and offers a more practical look at how communities can create housing that works.

    23 min

  7. Mar 17

    Episode 143: Dontrelle Young Foster, President & CEO, Housing Authority of the Birmingham District

    In 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.

    33 min

  8. Mar 3

    Episode 142: Cathe Dykstra, President & CEO, Family Scholar House

    On 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.

    32 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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