Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing

In this week's episode, we welcome Bill Emerson, Board Member of Rocket Companies and a recipient of this year's Housing Visionary Award, which will be presented at NHC's annual Gala on June 24 at The Anthem in Washington, DC. After more than three decades in the mortgage industry, Emerson joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the lessons he's learned leading through periods of rapid growth, market disruption, and economic uncertainty. Drawing on experience from nearly every level of the business, Emerson shares insights on leadership, organizational culture, risk management, and the evolving future of housing finance.

In this week's episode, we're joined by acclaimed historian and author Betty Boyd Caroli, a Fulbright scholar whose career has spanned topics from immigration to the lives of America's First Ladies.  Her latest book, "A Slumless America: Mary K. Simkhovitch and the Dream of Affordable Housing," shines a light on a visionary reformer whose name isn't widely known—Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch. Founder of the National Housing Conference, Simkhovitch was a pioneering force in the fight for safe, decent, and affordable housing. At a time when American cities were facing rapid growth and stark inequality, she worked tirelessly to build stronger communities and push for lasting change—impact that still resonates today. Caroli joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the life and legacy of Mary K. Simkhovitch and what her work can teach us about today's housing challenges.  

In this week's episode, we're joined by Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, the global housing nonprofit that has helped more than 62 million people build, rehabilitate, or preserve their homes. Under Reckford's leadership, the organization has grown dramatically expanding from serving about 125,000 people each year to reaching more than 3 million annually. Reckford sits down with NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to reflect on Habitat's 50-year impact and how it's addressing today's housing affordability crisis. They discuss key policy priorities, bipartisan legislation, and the proposed Homeownership Supply Accelerator, exploring what it will take to boost starter home supply, expand access to homeownership, and drive meaningful change through advocacy.  

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin talks with Wendy Penn, Vice President of Affordable Housing Initiatives at the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Anna Teye-Kasongo, Assistant Executive Director at the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, about CONVERGENCE—MBA's initiative to expand homeownership by leveraging the collective strength of community partners. Penn shares how the initiative is advancing collaboration and solutions at the national level, while Teye-Kasongo discusses how those efforts are playing out locally in Central Ohio. CONVERGENCE brings together lenders, industry leaders, and government partners to drive collective action and develop new solutions to the nation's rental and housing affordability challenges. By taking a unified approach, the initiative works to promote more sustainable and affordable housing options for both homeownership and rental, with a particular focus on supporting underserved people and communities.

In this week's episode, we welcome Robert Pinnegar, President and CEO of the National Apartment Association, the leading voice for the rental housing industry committed to serving 139 state and local affiliates, nearly 113,000 members representing more than 13.5 million apartment homes.   Pinnegar sits down with NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the state of today's rental housing market, long-term impact of underinvesting in housing supply for renters, and why expanding multifamily housing is one of the fastest ways to ease the shortage. They also discuss the policy solutions, including efforts to address the growing housing insurance crisis, that could unlock new construction.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin sits down with Sharon Cornelissen, Director of Housing at the Consumer Federation of America, and author of Last House on the Block: Black Homeowners, White Homesteaders, and Failed Gentrification in Detroit Cornelissen joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss her new book, which explores what happens when White newcomers move into predominantly Black neighborhoods, challenges assumptions about whether gentrification is inevitable, and focuses on the lived experiences of long-term Black homeowners navigating neighborhood change.

On December 3, the National Housing Conference hosted its Solutions for Affordable Housing convening at the National Press Club. The event brought together policymakers and affordable housing stakeholders to discuss tangible, impactful, and achievable actions to address the nation's most critical housing policy challenges. In today's episode, we revisit the panel, "Ending Homelessness: Successful Strategies for Sustainable Results," featuring a discussion on the evolving dialogue on homelessness. Panelists share insights on what's working, where gaps remain, and how stronger alignment across systems can lead to more effective, sustainable support for individuals and families facing homelessness. Panelists included Kathryn Monet, CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; Tramecia Garner, Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares; Neal Rackleff, Executive VP and COO of the Houston Housing Authority; and Julia Lightfoot, Executive Director for Clean and Sober Streets.  

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin sits down with Kate Rodgers, Chair and Policy Director of the Student HOMES Coalition, to explore the growing student housing crisis and the power of youth-led advocacy in shaping housing policy. Kate shares her journey from legislative advocacy as a UCLA freshman to becoming a leading voice in statewide student housing reform. Together, they discuss why access to safe, affordable housing is foundational to student success and how rising housing costs, restrictive regulations, and community resistance are pushing more students into housing insecurity and homelessness.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin joins NHC Chair Ali Solis and Vice Chair Ralph Perrey to reflect on the key policy priorities and developments that shaped NHC's work in 2025 and discuss what they mean for the housing challenges and opportunities ahead in 2026. Ali Solis, Principal at S3-Solis Strategic Solutions, is a housing industry veteran in Washington, DC, having held important leadership roles at Enterprise Community Partners, NeighborWorks® America, and Make Room. Ralph Perrey is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency and the longest serving executive director in the agency's history.  

On December 3, 2025, the National Housing Conference (NHC) hosted our Solutions for Affordable Housing convening at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. In this week's episode, we revisit the convening's fireside chat between NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin and Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE), Chairman of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, where they discussed his bipartisan work on the HOME Reform Act, ongoing negotiations around major housing legislation, the path forward for the Enterprises, and the status of government funding.

On December 3, 2025, the National Housing Conference (NHC) hosted our Solutions for Affordable Housing convening at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. In this week's episode, we revisit the convening's fireside chat between NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, where they discussed the evolving role of the federal government in shaping America's housing landscape and what it will take to tackle the supply crisis facing communities nationwide. They also touched on the future of consumer protections and the role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In this week's episode, we welcome Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr., President and CEO of WNC, a pioneer in the affordable housing space having acquired over $20 billion in affordable rental properties to create and preserve more than 1,700 communities across 49 states. Cooper is also the co-founder and President of the Cooper Housing Institute, a private foundation that supports innovative research, public awareness initiatives, and community organizations with the goal of ending the housing affordability and homelessness crises in the United States. Cooper joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to dive into a wide range of issues—from the Cooper Housing Institute's recent research with the Terner Center and RAND Corporation on improving Housing Choice Voucher utilization, to the nation's escalating housing supply crisis and the role zoning, environmental laws, and financing barriers play in limiting production. They also examine how workforce-focused proposals like the DIGNITY Act and the CONSTRUCTS Act could help address construction labor shortages and support much-needed housing development.  

In this week's episode, we welcome Janneke Ratcliffe, Vice President for the Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization that has been providing data and evidence to help advance upward mobility and equity for more than 50 years. Over a career that spans industry, the nonprofit sector, academic research, and the federal government, her work focuses on increasing access to financial systems that foster economic security and prosperity. Ratcliffe joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the roots of America's housing crisis—from supply shortages and rising costs to barriers in Black homeownership—emphasizing that housing affordability is the strongest predictor of homelessness.

In this week's episode we welcome Liz Gehringer, President and CEO of Anywhere Franchise Brands, where she leads strategic growth, marketing, and operations for some of the real estate industry's most iconic names—Coldwell Banker Affiliates, Coldwell Banker Commercial, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, and ERA Real Estate. Gehringer joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how Anywhere is reimagining the homebuying experience through innovation, expanding access to affordable homeownership, and using technology and AI to empower agents and enhance client relationships.

In this week's episode we welcome Christopher Tyson, President of the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), where he leads the organization's efforts to expand affordable homeownership by lending capital to revitalize vacant single-family homes, advocating for policy innovation and reform, and facilitating transactions that strengthen the single-family housing supply and stabilize neighborhoods. Since 2008, NCST has facilitated the transfer of more than 28,000 homes, and collaborated with local practitioners to stabilize neighborhoods and increase housing supply across the nation. Tyson joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how NCST is addressing the affordable housing shortage while supporting local organizations to rehabilitate distressed homes and sustain long-term neighborhood stability. They also discuss the barriers to scaling rehabilitation nationwide and how NCST is working through partnerships and policy solutions to overcome them. 

In this week's episode we welcome Don Mullen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pretium, a specialized investment firm focused on U.S. residential real estate – including single-family rentals and build-to-rent housing – residential credit, and corporate credit. With a platform managing nearly $60 billion in assets, Pretium's portfolio spans nearly 90 markets nationwide and includes ~90,000 single-family homes under management. The firm is also a leader in the build to rent space, having acquired 7,500 single family homes built as rental housing.    Mullen joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to explore the role of institutional ownership in single-family rentals, the rise of build-to-rent communities, and how Pretium is leveraging scale, strategy, and technology—including artificial intelligence—to expand access to workforce and affordable housing.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin sits down with Joseph Becerra, a true pioneer and changemaker in street medicine and community health, whom he had the privilege of shadowing in the field in Los Angeles. Becerra, the original community health worker and co-founder of USC Street Medicine, recounts his remarkable journey from over fifteen years of homelessness to becoming a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Gang Interventionist. He reflects on his lifelong commitment to serving underserved communities, incarcerated individuals, and at-risk youth, while using his expertise to expand health care and support for unsheltered populations.  

In this week's episode we welcome Laura Escobar, President of Lennar Mortgage, the lending arm of the nation's largest homebuilder, Lennar Corporation. With more than 37 years of experience in mortgage banking, Escobar has led at every level — from branch management to executive leadership — in both bank-owned and independent mortgage companies and currently serves as the 2025 Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association.   Escobar joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the Senate's ROAD to Housing bill, FHFA's roll out of alternative credit scores, the growing challenges of homeowners insurance, and how AI is reshaping mortgage finance.

In this week's episode we welcome Sydelle Knepper, Founder and CEO of SKA Marin, a renowned firm recognized for its impactful contributions to real estate and community development across New York and beyond. With more than 30 years of experience, Knepper brings unmatched expertise in both the private and public sectors, having overseen more than a billion dollars in constructed project value.  Knepper joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin discuss the future of affordable senior housing, the evolving demand, and the critical connection between housing and healthcare. Together, they examine the role of Section 8 vouchers and explore how public-private partnerships can help meet the growing needs of older adults.

In this week's episode, we welcome Dan Nissenbaum, CEO of the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a renowned, national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that has invested over $3.5 billion in transformative projects creating opportunities for low-income individuals and communities. Nissenbaum joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how CDFIs differ from traditional banks and lenders and explores how LIIF leverages tax credits, innovative financing tools, and strategic partnerships to expand access to affordable housing, drive economic empowerment, and revitalize neighborhoods.

In this week's episode, we welcome Patrick Dodd, President and CEO of Cotality, formerly known as CoreLogic. Cotality uses real-time property data and insights to help agents, lenders, insurers, and innovators uncover risks, seize opportunities, and drive meaningful impact across the property ecosystem. Dodd joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how Cotality is redefining its role in the housing ecosystem and addressing today's housing trends—from the impact of rising interest rates and insurance costs to how AI is reshaping the property and housing industry, and what it all means for younger generations striving to achieve homeownership.

In this week's episode, we welcome Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner of Novogradac, a national professional services firm with deep expertise in tax policy, affordable housing, community development, historic preservation, and opportunity zones. He is a recognized voice in national policy discussions, having testified before Congress and contributed insights to agencies like the U.S. Treasury and the IRS. His commentary is regularly featured in major outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Politico, CNBC, and NPR. Novogradac joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to explore the current state and future outlook of housing and community development tax incentives, while offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of Opportunity Zones.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin talks with Amy Hovey, Executive Director & CEO of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Robin Wiessmann, Executive Director and CEO of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, to discuss how housing finance agencies are addressing the affordable housing shortage in their states.  Amy Hovey is the first woman to lead the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. With more than 20 years of experience across government, philanthropy, and the private sector, Amy has built a career rooted in community development and revitalization—from her work in Flint with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to her time in Washington, D.C. as senior vice president and CEO of the Center for Community Progress. Robin Wiessmann has a wealth of experience spanning public service and high-level finance. She previously served as Pennsylvania's State Treasurer and the state's Secretary of Banking and Securities. As a national infrastructure investment banker, Wiessmann was a Founding Principal and President of Artemis Capital Group, the first women-owned investment banking firm on Wall Street, and held positions at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch.    

In this week's episode, we welcome Shannon McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, of the National Association of REALTORS®, which represents over 1.5 million members across every zip code in the U.S. involved in residential and commercial real estate. With nearly 25 years in government and public affairs, she has led major legislative efforts, from guiding the House Financial Services Committee during the financial crisis to helping pass the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as counselor to the U.S. Treasury Secretary. McGahn joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how NAR is navigating Washington's political landscape to advocate for increased affordable housing supply and access to homeownership, while also working to address housing challenges at the local level.  

In this week's episode, we welcome Mel Martinez, former U.S. Senator and former Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and an upcoming recipient of NHC's Carl A.S. Coan, Sr., Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service at our annual Gala on Wednesday, June 11.   As the first Cuban American elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Martinez brought a powerful voice to issues like economic development, housing policy, and international relations. He also served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, where he focused on expanding homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families across the country.   Senator Martinez joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss his remarkable journey from public service to business leadership, his insights on bipartisan policymaking, and the future of housing in America.  

In this week's episode, we welcome Renee Lewis Glover, Founder and Managing Member of The Catalyst Group, LLC, and an upcoming recipient of NHC's Housing Visionary Award at our annual Gala on June 11. A purpose-driven thought leader and accomplished business executive with deep expertise in housing affordability, Glover gained international recognition during her 19-year tenure as CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority, where she transformed the public housing model into a master-planned, mixed-income community model. Glover joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss building public-private partnerships that drive real change and shifting the national conversation on affordable housing and community development.

In this week's episode, we welcome Jim Tobin, President and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, which represents the largest network of craftsmen, innovators, and problem solvers, with over 700 state and local associations and more than 140,000 members. With more than 20 years of association leadership and housing policy background, Jim has played a key role in shaping legislation and addressing the industry's evolving challenges. Tobin joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how tariffs and federal, state, and local regulatory burdens are impacting housing costs and supply, the role of immigration policy in addressing labor shortages, and the actions NAHB is taking to address these issues.  

In this week's episode, we welcome Laura Arce, Senior Vice President for Economic Initiatives at UnidosUS, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. She is the architect of the Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) Initiative, a multi-year movement using policy, research, communications, and community-based strategies to influence systemic change toward the goal of four million new Latino homeowners by the end of this decade. Arce joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to explore how the organization is evolving to meet the changing needs of the Latino community, from expanding homeownership and economic opportunity to tackling climate change and immigration reform.  

In this week's episode, we welcome Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, the nation's only national civil rights agency solely dedicated to eliminating all forms of housing discrimination. She has been instrumental in shaping fair housing policy, helping create the CFPB's Office of Fair Lending and contributing to the Dodd-Frank Act. She has also led groundbreaking investigations that have brought justice to countless individuals impacted by discriminatory lending and housing practices.    Rice joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to reflect on how history—particularly America's legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination—continues to shape housing access and equity today. She shares her early inspiration for civil rights work, the pivotal role of the Fair Housing Act, and the ongoing challenges of addressing inequality.  

On February 11th, the National Housing Conference, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Fransisco and the Council of the Federal Home Loan Banks hosted "Federal Home Loan Banks: Shaping the Future of Affordable Housing and Community Investment" at the National Press Club. This event offered a comprehensive exploration of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) and their mission to provide liquidity to member financial institutions to support housing and community investment. In today's episode, we revisit the panel, "Unlocking Affordable Housing Solutions: How Member Banks Leverage Federal Home Loan Banks", which explores today's utilization of the FHLBanks, the various programs offered by them and the resulting impact on housing and community development. Panelists included Jill Cetina, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, Aaron Klein, Brookings Institution, Joe Pigg, American Bankers Association, and Stockton Williams, National Council of State Housing Agencies. 

In this week's episode, we welcome Bill McBride, Founder and Writer of the CalculatedRisk Blog, a resource widely cited by economists as a go-to for understanding housing trends. McBride has been breaking down housing trends since 2005, accurately predicting the housing bubble and market shifts long before they happened. Dubbed "the genius who invented economics blogging" by Business Insider, McBride joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss economic trends, housing policy, and the state of the housing market.

In this week's episode, we welcome John O'Callaghan, President and CEO of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, which develops, finances, and advocates for affordable housing at scale that promotes racial equity and healthy communities where families thrive. As metro Atlanta's leading nonprofit producer of affordable homes for purchase, focused on closing the racial homeownership gap, O'Callaghan joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss policy changes and funding mechanisms needed to expand homeownership and the role of public-private partnerships in scaling affordable housing.

On December 4, the National Housing Conference hosted its Solutions for Affordable Housing convening at the National Press Club. The event brought together policymakers and affordable housing stakeholders to discuss tangible, impactful, and achievable actions to address the nation's most critical housing policy challenges.    In today's episode, we revisit the panel, "Heirs' Property and the Preservation of Generational Wealth," which explores the historical and systemic barriers that have led to significant disparities in homeownership rates including issues around appraisal bias, redlining, and heirs' property that have led to vulnerabilities in property rights and wealth retention. Panelists included Abigail Suarez, JPMorganChase; Reggie O'Shields, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta; Maria Evans, Fannie Mae; Thomas Mitchell, Boston College of Law; and Natasha Moodie, Housing Assistance Council.

In this week's episode, we welcome Matt Cullen, Chairman of JACK Entertainment and a former executive who led gaming, real estate, and other initiatives for Dan Gilbert's Family of Companies. Matt's career spans decades of impactful leadership, from overseeing GM's 450-million-square-foot global real estate portfolio to spearheading Detroit's riverfront transformation and revitalizing urban landscapes in both Detroit and Cleveland.    From revitalizing neighborhoods to tackling economic and environmental challenges, Cullen joins NHC's President and CEO to discuss Detroit's economic recovery and offers valuable lessons for other cities looking to build a stronger future.

In this week's episode, we welcome Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a public education, advocacy, and capacity-building organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the United States. A career veteran of homelessness and housing policy, she is recognized as one of the foremost experts on homelessness in the nation.  Oliva joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin for a conversation on the state of homelessness in America exploring the biggest challenges, key opportunities, and real solutions that can drive meaningful change.

In this week's episode, we welcome Ed Brady, President and CEO of the Home Builders Institute, which has been training and educating America's home construction workforce for more than 50 years. Brady is a sought after thought leader in the housing industry, home building, and workforce development space with decades of experience and leadership. Brady joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the homebuilding and construction space to help address the country's affordable housing shortage.

In this week's episode, we welcome Sharon Wilson Géno, President of the National Multifamily Housing Council, which represents rental owners, managers, developers, and suppliers who provide rental homes for 40 million Americans. A 30-year veteran of the housing industry, Géno has led efforts across for-profit and nonprofit sectors to tackle housing affordability, community development, and policy challenges.   Géno joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the rental housing industry to help address the country's affordable housing shortage. 

On December 4, 2024, the National Housing Conference (NHC) hosted our Solutions for Affordable Housing convening at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. In this week's episode, we revisit the convening's fireside chat between NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), where they discuss housing policy, bipartisan collaboration in a highly partisan Congress, and economic development issues.  During his time in the Senate, Senator Warner has established himself as a bipartisan leader who works across the aisle to accomplish sustainable solutions to America's most important challenges. He has served as a key supporter of several pieces of critical legislation addressing today's affordable housing shortage, including cosponsoring the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, as well as a long-time leader and advocate for the New Markets Tax Credit.

On December 4, 2024, the National Housing Conference (NHC) hosted our "Solutions for Affordable Housing" convening at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. In this week's episode, we revisit the convening's fireside chat between NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), where they address the election, the future of the Democratic party, prospects for bipartisanship in a highly partisan political environment, and whether the affordable housing crisis can bring the parties together around real solutions. 

In this week's episode, we welcome Bill Emerson, President of Rocket Companies. With a career spanning over two decades at Rocket and its related businesses, Bill brings a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and navigating economic cycles. From serving as CEO of Rocket Mortgage for 15 years to his recent role as Interim CEO of Rocket Companies, Bill has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's culture and growth.  Emerson joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the evolution of the mortgage industry over the past 30 years, highlighting positive transformations as well as emerging opportunities and challenges. They also cover Rocket Companies' significant role in Detroit's economic recovery.

In this week's episode, we welcome Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, which represents the mortgage finance industry. A senior finance executive and corporate officer with a 35-year career in the mortgage sector, he has directed all aspects of lending activities, including marketing, sales, operations, secondary marketing, loan servicing, and default management.  Broeksmit joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the challenges and opportunities in lending, servicing, and navigating industry regulations to help address the shortage of affordable housing in the country.

In this week's episode, we welcome HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. During her tenure at HUD, she is focused on key priorities, including increasing housing supply, improving disaster response, advancing climate resilience, and enhancing access to HUD programs. Todman joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss HUD's efforts to address the nation's affordable housing shortage from the Community Development Block Grant program to the Housing Choice Voucher program to home appraisal bias, among other topics. She also reflects on how her decades of experience as an advocate in affordable housing and community development is helping her address the ongoing challenges related to affordable housing availability.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin talks with Sarah Brundage, President and CEO of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, and Gisele Roget, Founding Principal of Overbrook Square Group, to discuss the future of housing policy in President Trump's administration and beyond.   Gisele Roget, a veteran of the first Trump administration, has held influential roles leading teams and directing policy in Washington, DC, becoming the first Black woman to lead the Office of External Affairs for a federal depository regulator with her appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff for the National Credit Union Administration. Prior to joining NCUA, she led the Office of Single-Family Housing of the Federal Housing Administration.   Sarah Brundage is a housing industry veteran having served as a Senior Policy Advisor on the Biden-Harris administration's Domestic Policy Council at the White House. She also served as Senior Advisor for Housing Supply and Infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   Join David, Sarah, and Gisele as they discuss how the election's outcome may affect housing issues over the next four years.       

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin talks with NHC Chair Ali Solis and Vice Chair Ralph Perrey about the organization's housing priorities and what the election could mean for housing during the lame duck session and in 2025 and beyond. Ali Solis, Principal at S3, Solis Strategic Solutions, is a housing industry veteran in Washington, DC, having held important leadership roles at Enterprise Community Partners, NeighborWorks® America, and Make Room. Ralph Perrey is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency and the longest serving executive director in the agency's history. Join David, Ali, and Ralph as they discuss NHC's policy agenda and the future of housing policy.

On September 9, the National Housing Conference (NHC) and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) hosted "Revolutionizing Homeownership: Innovations in Mortgage Tech, AI, and Data." The forum brought together policymakers, industry experts, and leaders to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping the housing sector, with a particular focus on advancements in mortgage platforms, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data transparency.  In this week's episode, we revisit the panel, Empowering Consumers: Data Transparency in Housing Decisions, which delved into the transformative potential of advanced data transparency in empowering consumers to make informed decisions. Topics discussed included ensuring clarity on monthly homeownership costs, setting realistic expectations for mortgage processes and closing costs, preparing for potential payment fluctuations, facilitating loan comparisons, and promoting fair pricing practices.  

In this week's episode, we welcome Benson (Buzz) Roberts, who has spent over 45 years serving affordable housing and community development, before retiring as President and CEO from the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders last December. NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin sits down with Buzz to discuss his career and involvement in creating and improving ground-breaking policies such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the New Markets Tax Credit, HOME Investment Partnerships block grants, the Capital Magnet Fund, Treasury Department funding for FHA multifamily risk-sharing loans, regulatory changes to the Community Reinvestment Act, and the proposed Neighborhood Homes Investment Act. 

In this week's episode, we welcome Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. With 90 affiliates serving 300 communities in 37 states and the District of Columbia, the National Urban League advocates for policies and services that close the equality gap through policy leadership, social programs, and research. A prominent national voice for jobs, education, housing, health, voting rights, equity, and entrepreneurship, Morial previously served as the highly successful Mayor of New Orleans before transitioning to his role at the National Urban League. He sits down with NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the current affordable housing crisis and efforts to bridge racial economic disparities.

In this week's episode, we welcome Dennis Shea, the Executive Director of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, which is working to advance public policies that more effectively address our nation's critical housing affordability challenges. Dennis joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the Center's efforts to address today's affordable housing shortage. He also reflects on his tenure as HUD's Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.   

In this week's episode, we welcome HUD's Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. At HUD, Gordon oversees the Department's policies, programs, and operations supporting the nation's homebuyers, homeowners, renters, and communities. Throughout her career, Commissioner Gordon has been both a strong advocate for and hands-on practitioner working to achieve equal justice, fairness and equity in housing, and consumer protections. She joins NHC's President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss HUD's efforts to address the country's affordable housing shortage and her more than 30 years of experience working in the housing and community development sectors.

In this week's episode, we welcome Michael Pugh, President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the nation's largest community development financial institutions. With more than 30 years of banking experience, particularly in expanding access to capital for underserved families, businesses, and communities, Michael shares his insights and strategies for tackling the affordable housing shortage in our country.