EPISODE · Jul 2, 2026 · 54 MIN
115 / Getting policy to actually build / with Amy Tomasso
from good traffic. · host Brad Biehl
Amy Tomasso — Policy + Partnerships at Ivory Innovations — is in good traffic this week from Salt Lake City for a walkthrough of the Ivory Prize: a $1.5 million annual award celebrating housing innovation across policy, finance, construction, and design. Ivory Innovations operates as a nonprofit foundation connected to Utah's largest homebuilder, meaning that their awards fund housing solutions that scale tangibly.We also touch on: Amy's leadership in Vermont's Homes for All toolkit and pre-approved plan sets. Why off-site construction keeps failing (and how to fix it). The gap between policy wins and housing starts. Salt Lake City's missing middle zoning reforms. Philanthropic capital as an alternative to traditional grants. Why developer-public sector collaboration happens in some places and not others. The 2026 Ivory Prize Summit in Tempe, Arizona.Timeline:00:00 Intro.02:16 Amy Tomasso and the Ivory Prize.04:35 Founded 2018 by Clark Ivory and his daughter Abby.05:29 Nonprofit foundation rooted in a homebuilder's perspective.06:34 200+ innovators in the portfolio, $1.5 million dispersed.07:14 Early winners: Portland's Residential Infill Project, Villa Homes.08:47 Boston Acquisition Fund and Philadelphia housing programs.10:16 Why the East Coast and West Coast show different innovation patterns.11:33 Colorado's state-level support for off-site manufacturing.12:43 Amy's path from urbanism to housing work in Vermont.16:54 Homes for All toolkit: design guide, infill case studies.21:10 Pre-approved plan sets for statewide housing production.25:31 Vermont's collaborative approach with developers and regulators.28:27 Applying policy in Utah: Salt Lake City's missing middle districts.31:15 The gap between policy and actual housing starts.34:12 Philanthropic Capital Playbook launching in November.37:00 Operating foundation model as an alternative financing tool.40:15 Patient capital and subordinated debt approaches.43:03 2026 Ivory Prize Summit in Tempe, Arizona at ASU.46:33 Off-site construction manufacturers: why they fail and how to succeed.49:21 Production homebuilder convening around policy innovation.52:39 Why venture capital may not be the best source for housing.55:12 Liberty Wells: affordable housing infill in Salt Lake City.57:37 Proactive lot splitting for future homeownership conversion.59:35 The Philanthropic Capital Playbook goes public November.1:01:23 Salt Lake City's expansion housing options vote in October.1:03:02 Oversupply in multifamily rentals, still need for homeownership opportunities.1:05:26 The favorite commute: The Avenues to University of Utah.1:07:38 Wrapping up and part two teaser.Further context:Ivory Innovations.The 2026 Ivory Prize Summit in Tempe, Arizona.Follow Amy's work.
What this episode covers
Amy Tomasso — Policy + Partnerships at Ivory Innovations — is in good traffic this week from Salt Lake City for a walkthrough of the Ivory Prize: a $1.5 million annual award celebrating housing innovation across policy, finance, construction, and design. Ivory Innovations operates as a nonprofit foundation connected to Utah's largest homebuilder, meaning that their awards fund housing solutions that scale tangibly.We also touch on: Amy's leadership in Vermont's Homes for All toolkit and pre-approved plan sets. Why off-site construction keeps failing (and how to fix it). The gap between policy wins and housing starts. Salt Lake City's missing middle zoning reforms. Philanthropic capital as an alternative to traditional grants. Why developer-public sector collaboration happens in some places and not others. The 2026 Ivory Prize Summit in Tempe, Arizona.Timeline:00:00 Intro.02:16 Amy Tomasso and the Ivory Prize.04:35 Founded 2018 by Clark Ivory and his daughter Abby.05:29 Nonprofit foundation rooted in a homebuilder's perspective.06:34 200+ innovators in the portfolio, $1.5 million dispersed.07:14 Early winners: Portland's Residential Infill Project, Villa Homes.08:47 Boston Acquisition Fund and Philadelphia housing programs.10:16 Why the East Coast and West Coast show different innovation patterns.11:33 Colorado's state-level support for off-site manufacturing.12:43 Amy's path from urbanism to housing work in Vermont.16:54 Homes for All toolkit: design guide, infill case studies.21:10 Pre-approved plan sets for statewide housing production.25:31 Vermont's collaborative approach with developers and regulators.28:27 Applying policy in Utah: Salt Lake City's missing middle districts.31:15 The gap between policy and actual housing starts.34:12 Philanthropic Capital Playbook launching in November.37:00 Operating foundation model as an alternative financing tool.40:15 Patient capital and subordinated debt approaches.43:03 2026 Ivory Prize Summit in Tempe, Arizona at ASU.46:33 Off-site construction manufacturers: why they fail and how to succeed.49:21 Production homebuilder convening around policy innovation.52:39 Why venture capital may not be the best source for housing.55:12 Liberty Wells: affordable housing infill in Salt Lake City.57:37 Proactive lot splitting for future homeownership conversion.59:35 The Philanthropic Capital Playbook goes public November.1:01:23 Salt Lake City's expansion housing options vote in October.1:03:02 Oversupply in multifamily rentals, still need for homeownership opportunities.1:05:26 The favorite commute: The Avenues to University of Utah.1:07:38 Wrapping up and part two teaser.Further context:Ivory Innovations.The 2026 Ivory Prize Summit in Tempe, Arizona.Follow Amy's work.
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115 / Getting policy to actually build / with Amy Tomasso
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