House Party Podcast

Why can we easily find market-rate rentals through Zillow or Trulia but for affordable units, some families have to visit up to 24 different offices in-person? The Housing Navigator Massachusetts team is changing that. Hear how Jennifer Gilbert, Executive Director and founder, is bringing transparency, user experience design, and even beauty to the search for affordable housing. 

To satisfy federal and state diversity requirements, how do developers get connected with minority and / or women-owned firms for construction projects? Many developers actually struggle to fulfill these requirements because they can’t find minority and women-owned subcontractors. This is where Tough Leaf comes in. Learn about how this tech platform is bringing something new and innovative to this process.

What role can machine learning, offsite construction, and environmental sustainability play in supporting missing middle housing development? How can we equip small, local developers with the right tools to streamline their processes, decrease delivery timelines, and increase construction quality? These questions are top-of-mind for the team at Madelon. Learn about how Madelon started, its impact so far, and where it’s going next.

How are rising interest rates affecting housing affordability? In our inaugural episode, learn about how the Joint Center for Housing Studies got its name,  what history can teach us about today’s housing market, and how impact fees influence the construction of starter homes.

How can we help educators and essential  workers afford homes in the communities where they work? While some school districts are building housing for their teachers, new models such as shared appreciation down payment programs enable essential workers to buy homes by reducing the down payment savings barrier and increasing their buying power.

What if a community land trust and a social impact fund got together and had a baby? Meet the Trust Neighborhoods mixed income neighborhood trust (MINT) model.

Hear how civic technology platform Outreach Grid is making it easier for service providers, case managers, homeless shelters, and other stakeholders to support better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.