The SAHMA Exchange

SAHMA
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

The SAHMA Exchange is where policy, people, and property management meet. Produced by the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association, this podcast explores the real issues facing multifamily affordable housing professionals across the Southeast. Each episode features conversations with SAHMA members and industry experts, along with clear, practical discussions on compliance, regulations, insurance, operations, and emerging trends. Whether you’re managing day-to-day challenges or planning for the future, The SAHMA Exchange offers insight you can use — grounded in experience, informed by policy, and shaped by the people doing the work.

Episodes

  1. Reese Quick's Story

    15h ago

    Reese Quick's Story

    In this episode: • How a red wagon launched Reese's affordable housing career • Getting his start in maintenance and learning the business from the ground up • Moving from maintenance technician to district manager • What a typical day looks like for the president of a management company • The secret to staying passionate about affordable housing after 50 years • The biggest change Reese has seen in the industry: technology • Why the people around him helped him adapt and succeed • How SAHMA has supported his career through networking, education, and problem solving • The biggest benefit of SAHMA membership • A career-defining moment: making children happy • The legacy Reese hopes to leave behind: being fair and being available • His advice for the next generation of affordable housing professionals

    20 min
  2. Melissa Martinez's Story

    Jun 22

    Melissa Martinez's Story

    In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, we talk with Melissa Martinez, Training Specialist with SPM, about her career journey, her passion for affordable housing, and the residents who have left a lasting impact on her life. Topics discussed include: • Getting started in affordable housing right out of high school • Melissa's role as a Training Specialist and helping teams succeed through Yardi training and best practices • How a job became a long-term career • The senior residents who inspired her passion for affordable housing • The story of Roger and the power of human connection • Why Melissa volunteers and stays involved with SAHMA • Common misconceptions about affordable housing • "Where will the seniors go?"—the importance of affordable housing in our communities • Building positive relationships between affordable housing communities and their neighbors • Advice for those considering a career in affordable housing The SAHMA Exchange is a podcast where policy, people, and property management meet.

    19 min
  3. Advocacy with Larry & Glenda

    Jun 8

    Advocacy with Larry & Glenda

    Guests: • Larry Keys, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) • Glenda Leduc, President, Mansermar, Inc. and Mid-America Apartment Management Co., Inc. Episode Overview Affordable housing advocacy is often viewed as something that happens in Washington, D.C., but the reality is that every affordable housing professional has a role to play in shaping the future of the industry. In this episode, Larry Keys and Glenda Leduc discuss why advocacy matters, how public perception influences policy decisions, and why lawmakers need to hear directly from the people managing affordable housing communities every day. Key Discussion Topics The Challenges Facing Affordable Housing • Housing supply shortages • Preservation of existing affordable housing • Funding pressures • Resident outcomes and community impact Why Advocacy Matters • The importance of industry participation • The role of property management voices • Educating lawmakers on operational realities • Moving legislation across the finish line Policy vs. Reality • Federal and state regulatory challenges • Operational realities at the property level • Compliance complexities • The need for practical policymaking Public Perception and Misconceptions • Affordable housing stigma • Workforce housing realities • Seniors and housing affordability • Why storytelling matters Advocacy in Action • How real-world stories resonate with lawmakers • Larry's "People, Place, Purpose" framework • Practical ways to engage in advocacy • Why every housing professional's voice matters Memorable Quotes "Our job is to make it hard for lawmakers to look the other way." "We're not just dealing with buildings. We're dealing with lives." "If we're not telling the affordable housing story, someone else will." For more resources, educational opportunities and industry updates, visit SAHMA.org and subscribe to The SAHMA Exchange wherever you listen to podcasts.

    54 min
  4. Tony Jones' Story

    May 26

    Tony Jones' Story

    Guest: Tony Jones, Vice President of Operations, Community Management Corporation Recorded live at the 2025 SAHMA Leadership Conference. In this episode: • Tony’s unexpected start in affordable housing in 1993 • What a VP of Operations role really looks like day to day • How affordable housing has evolved over the last 30 years • The growing complexity of regulations and compliance • How leaders stay informed in a constantly changing industry • HOTMA conversations and affordable housing humor • The story behind Tony’s “Cookie Monster” nickname • Why SAHMA leadership has meant so much to him • Supporting residents through reasonable accommodations and community-building • Improving public perception around affordable housing Memorable moments: • Tony sprinting out of the interview after thinking he won a raffle prize • The “Weird Al of Affordable Housing” HOTMA song • Cookie Monster’s special appearance About The SAHMA Exchange: The SAHMA Exchange is a podcast where policy, people, and property management meet — featuring conversations with affordable housing leaders across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

    19 min
  5. Senior Housing with Ron & Eric

    May 11

    Senior Housing with Ron & Eric

    Key Topics Covered What “home” means to today’s senior residents Needs vs. wants in senior housing communities When safety, independence, and dignity conflict Real-world decision-making at the property level Staff pressures: resident satisfaction vs. liability Fair Housing and regulatory challenges The role of family communication Technology and AI in senior housing What dignity really looks like in practice Advice for property managers and service coordinators Stats Referenced in This Episode More than 2 million older adults live in federally assisted housinghttps://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-featd-article-081417.html Nearly 1 in 3 older adults are cost-burdenedhttps://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/one-three-older-households-cost-burdened Senior housing occupancy nearing 90% in many marketshttps://seniorhousingnews.com/2026/04/23/average-senior-living-occupancy-surpasses-90-as-low-development-levels-signal-scarcity-ahead/ Featured Guests Eric Kager Executive Vice President Benchmark Management Corporation Ron Budynas Chief Operating Officer Wesley Living

    40 min
  6. Michelle Cutillo's Story

    Apr 27

    Michelle Cutillo's Story

    In this episode, Michelle Cutillo shares her journey into affordable housing, the moment that defined her career, and how her work in compliance continues to impact residents and communities. The conversation also highlights the importance of professional development, industry collaboration, and advocacy through organizations like SAHMA. Key Takeaways Affordable housing careers often begin unexpectedly—but become long-term, purpose-driven work Compliance plays a critical role in preserving and expanding access to housing Professional development and community are essential in a complex, evolving industry Breaking stigma requires collective effort across the industry Behind every policy and process are real people and life-changing outcomes Key Industry Insights & Statistics The U.S. is currently short more than 7 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income households, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes) There are only 35 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renters (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes) More than 11 million U.S. households are considered severely cost-burdened, spending over 50% of their income on housing (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes) 74% of extremely low-income renters are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half their income on housing (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes) These renters make up a significant portion of the population and are often working in low-wage jobs, seniors, or individuals with disabilities (https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/affordable-housing-shortage-national-low-income-housing-coalition) Property management faces elevated turnover, with industry data from the National Apartment Association (NAA) and National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) showing rates typically in the 30–35% range annually, significantly higher than many other sectors. (https://butterflymx.com/blog/multifamily-employee-turnover-rate) Workforce development and retention remain critical challenges in property management, with industry research highlighting staffing and recruitment as a primary concern and emphasizing the need for ongoing training and skill development to support a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. (https://knowledge.highmatch.com/hubfs/HM-Hiring-Challenges-in-Property-Management.pdf)

    14 min
  7. Fair Housing with Christine, Vickie and Mary

    Apr 13

    Fair Housing with Christine, Vickie and Mary

    Mayor Adams Announces Largest Civil Rights Settlement in City History, Protecting New Yorkers from Housing Discrimination | NYC.gov | Aug. 22, 2024 Violence Against Women Act | HUD Certified Professional of Occupancy (CPO) | SAHMA Fair Housing Compliance Certification (FHC) | SAHMA Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) | HUD Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHA) | HUD HUD Rescinds Disparate Impact Regulations | Nixon Peabody | Jan. 21, 2026 HUD Announces Key Fair Housing Updates | National Apartment Association Fair Housing Institute Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act | HUD Mrs. Murphy Exemption: Exemptions to the Fair Housing Act | Housing Equality Center

    49 min
  8. Brian Harris' Story

    Mar 23

    Brian Harris' Story

    In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, we sit down with Brian Harris, President and CEO of Wesley Living, for a powerful conversation that bridges personal experience and professional leadership. With more than 30 years in affordable housing, Brian shares his journey across public housing, project-based rental assistance, LIHTC, and HOME programs, serving seniors, families, individuals with special needs, and those facing chronic mental illness. But what makes this conversation especially meaningful is Brian’s story. Having grown up in affordable housing himself, he brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and service. We explore the impact of mentorship, the importance of supporting independence for senior residents, and how affordable housing can shape lives across generations. Brian also shares his thoughts on breaking stigma, the universal need for housing, and why preserving affordable housing in this country is more critical than ever. About Our Guest Brian Harris is the President and CEO of Wesley Living, based in Cordova, Tennessee. With over three decades of experience in affordable housing, his work spans public housing, LIHTC, HOME, and project-based rental assistance programs. Brian has led significant growth in housing agencies, expanding funding sources, increasing organizational footprint, and serving as a trusted advisor to both housing authorities and HUD field offices. His leadership is deeply influenced by his own lived experience growing up in affordable housing.

    19 min
  9. Burnout with Dana & Jamie

    Mar 9

    Burnout with Dana & Jamie

    Correction: Dana Patterson is referred to as the CEO of Alco Management. She is actually the COO.  Show Notes / Links Sensory Stickers Tennessee SAHMA | May 20-21 | Nashville | Link Research & Data Referenced in This Episode Managers experience higher stress and burnout than non-managers Gallup research shows managers report higher levels of stress and burnout than the employees they supervise. 83% of U.S. workers report work-related stress The American Institute of Stress estimates that 83% of U.S. workers experience work-related stress, highlighting the widespread nature of workplace pressure. Burned-out employees are 2.6× more likely to seek another job Gallup research found that employees who frequently experience burnout are 2.6 times more likely to be actively seeking a new job. Employee disengagement costs hundreds of billions globally Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report estimates that declining employee engagement costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually in lost productivity.

    49 min
  10. Leiona Newell's Story

    Feb 23

    Leiona Newell's Story

    References 51% of extremely low-income renter householders are seniors or people with disabilities. 40% are in the labor force, in school, or are single-adult caregivers (including caregivers of children or family members with disabilities). Of extremely low-income renters in the labor force, 42% usually work full-time (40+ hours/week). from the National Low Income Housing Coalition Website

    19 min
  11. Forecasting with Breana & Sonja

    Feb 9

    Forecasting with Breana & Sonja

    In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, where policy, people, and property management meet, we’re looking ahead to what 2026 may bring for the affordable housing industry. We’re joined by Sonja Horn, President of Dash Compliance, and Breana Thomas, Director of Policy, Procedures, and Training at Fairstead, for a candid and practical forecasting conversation. Together, we discuss what feels fundamentally different about this moment in the industry, the ongoing evolution of HOTMA, insurance pressures, staffing and recruitment challenges, and the growing role of technology and AI. We also touch on Southeast-specific considerations and close on a hopeful note - what’s working, what’s improving, and what we hope to look back on as progress by 2027.

    41 min
  12. Dennis McWilliams' Story

    Jan 23

    Dennis McWilliams' Story

    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA).

    24 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The SAHMA Exchange is where policy, people, and property management meet. Produced by the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association, this podcast explores the real issues facing multifamily affordable housing professionals across the Southeast. Each episode features conversations with SAHMA members and industry experts, along with clear, practical discussions on compliance, regulations, insurance, operations, and emerging trends. Whether you’re managing day-to-day challenges or planning for the future, The SAHMA Exchange offers insight you can use — grounded in experience, informed by policy, and shaped by the people doing the work.

Information

  • Creator
    SAHMA
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The SAHMA Exchange
  • Show Website
    The SAHMA Exchange

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