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Defining Affordable: A Housing Solutions Podcast

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by Jaime Albarelli and Robin Martinez

13 episodes
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Defining Affordable: A Housing Solutions Podcast explores the policies, history, and real-world forces behind the chronic—and increasingly severe—shortage of affordable housing in the United States. Hosted by affordable housing professionals Jaime and Robin, the show breaks down complex housing issues and highlights practical solutions for people working in the housing industry, curious listeners who want to better understand the problem, and those navigating the challenges of finding an affordable place to live. Subscribe to our free substack: https://substack.com/@definingaffordable

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4/6/2026

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Breaking Down the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

July 21, 2026

Breaking Down the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

<p>Congress has passed the bipartisan <strong>21st Century ROAD to Housing Act</strong>, one of the most significant federal housing bills in years. But unlike many housing bills, this isn't primarily about spending more money. It's about changing the rules that shape how housing gets built.</p><p>This episode breaks down what the legislation actually does, including reforms to Community Development Block Grants, environmental reviews, manufactured and modular housing, building codes, homeownership programs, and housing development incentives. It also explores where the bill makes meaningful progress, where it falls short, and why implementation by states and local governments will ultimately determine its impact.</p><p><strong>Editor's Note:</strong> During our discussion of the institutional investor provisions, we referenced a requirement that certain build-to-rent and renovate-to-rent homes must be sold to individual buyers after seven years. After recording, we learned this provision appeared in an earlier version of the legislation but was removed before the final bill became law. We'll discuss this correction at the beginning of our next episode.</p><h1>Sources &amp; Further Reading</h1><h3>About the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act</h3><ul><li><strong>Congress.gov</strong> – H.R. 6644: 21st Century Road to Housing Act (Full Bill Text)</li><li><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6644/text" target="_blank">https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6644/text</a></li><li><strong>Bipartisan Policy Center</strong> – Inside the Deal: What's in the Final 21st Century Road to Housing Act</li><li><a href="https://bipartisanpolicy.org/issue-brief/inside-the-deal-whats-in-the-final-21st-century-road-to-housing-act/" target="_blank">https://bipartisanpolicy.org/issue-brief/inside-the-deal-whats-in-the-final-21st-century-road-to-housing-act/</a></li><li><strong>National Low Income Housing Coalition</strong> – 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Explainer</li><li><a href="https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/21ST_Century_ROAD_Explainer.pdf" target="_blank">https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/21ST_Century_ROAD_Explainer.pdf</a></li><li><strong>VPM / NPR</strong> – Bipartisan Home Affordability Bill Passes the House</li><li><a href="https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2026-05-20/bipartisan-home-affordability-bill-passes-the-house" target="_blank">https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2026-05-20/bipartisan-home-affordability-bill-passes-the-house</a></li><li><strong>National Council of State Housing Agencies</strong> – Changes in Store for Housing Programs After Congress Passes Comprehensive Housing Bill</li><li><a href="https://www.ncsha.org/blog/changes-in-store-for-housing-programs-after-congress-passes-comprehensive-housing-bill/" target="_blank">https://www.ncsha.org/blog/changes-in-store-for-housing-programs-after-congress-passes-comprehensive-housing-bill/</a></li><li><strong>JD Supra</strong> – ROAD to Housing Act Unlocks New Funding Opportunities and Regulatory Reforms</li><li><a href="https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/road-to-housing-act-unlocks-new-funding-7351328/" target="_blank">https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/road-to-housing-act-unlocks-new-funding-7351328/</a></li><li><strong>LAist</strong> – What the Once-in-a-Lifetime Federal Housing Bill Means for California</li><li><a href="https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/what-the-once-in-a-lifetime-federal-housing-bill-means-for-california" target="_blank">https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/what-the-once-in-a-lifetime-federal-housing-bill-means-for-california</a></li></ul><h3></h3><h3>Environmental Review (NEPA) Reforms</h3><ul><li><strong>Nixon Peabody</strong> – HUD Environmental Review Reforms Under the ROAD to Housing Act</li><li><a href="https://www.nixonpeabody.com/insights/alerts/2026/06/30/hud-environmental-review-reforms-under-road-to-housing-act" target="_blank">https://www.nixonpeabody.com/insights/alerts/2026/06/30/hud-environmental-review-reforms-under-road-to-housing-act</a></li></ul><h3></h3><h3>Single-Staircase Apartment Buildings</h3><ul><li><strong>The Pew Charitable Trusts</strong> – Small Single-Stairway Apartment Buildings Have Strong Safety Record</li><li><a href="https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2025/02/small-single-stairway-apartment-buildings-have-strong-safety-record" target="_blank">https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2025/02/small-single-stairway-apartment-buildings-have-strong-safety-record</a></li><li><strong>NFPA Journal</strong> – The Single-Exit Stairwell Debate</li><li><a href="https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/NFPA-Journal/2024/08/06/The-Single-Exit-Stairwell-Debate" target="_blank">https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/NFPA-Journal/2024/08/06/The-Single-Exit-Stairwell-Debate</a></li></ul><h3></h3><h3>Institutional Investors &amp; Build-to-Rent Housing</h3><ul><li><strong>Sullivan Law</strong> – Impact of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act on Institutional Investor Ownership of Single-Family Rental Homes</li><li><a href="https://www.sullivanlaw.com/viewpoints/impact-of-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-on-institutional-investor-ownership-of-single-family-rental-homes" target="_blank">https://www.sullivanlaw.com/viewpoints/impact-of-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-on-institutional-investor-ownership-of-single-family-rental-homes</a></li><li><strong>The New York Times</strong> – How the New Housing Bill Could Affect Affordability</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/economy/housing-bill-affordability.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/economy/housing-bill-affordability.html</a></li></ul>

Episode thumbnail for What If Stability Was Just The Starting Line?

July 7, 2026

What If Stability Was Just The Starting Line?

<p>Affordable housing creates stability. But what should come next?</p><p>We've spent a lot of time discussing why homeownership has become increasingly difficult to achieve and what that means for wealth inequality in America. But if fewer people are able to build wealth through traditional homeownership, how do we create new opportunities for renters?</p><p>This episode explores innovative ideas that challenge the traditional path to wealth-building, including reporting rent payments to credit bureaus, renter wealth creation models, community land trusts, and limited-equity housing cooperatives.</p><p>These approaches don't replace the need for more affordable housing. They build on it by asking a bigger question: once someone has stable housing, how do we help them build financial security, assets, and long-term opportunity?</p><p>Housing stability matters. But maybe stability isn't the finish line. Maybe it's where opportunity begins.</p><h2>Sources &amp; Continued Reading</h2><h3>Renter Wealth Creation</h3><ul><li>Renter Wealth Creation — Enterprise Community Partners</li><li> <a href="https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/impact-areas/upward-mobility/renter-wealth-creation" target="_blank">https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/impact-areas/upward-mobility/renter-wealth-creation</a></li><li>Investing Endowment Funds to Create Savings and Assets for Low-Income Families — Annie E. Casey Foundation</li><li> <a href="https://www.aecf.org/blog/investing-endowment-funds-to-create-savings-and-assets-for-low-income-families" target="_blank">https://www.aecf.org/blog/investing-endowment-funds-to-create-savings-and-assets-for-low-income-families</a></li></ul><h3>Community Land Trusts</h3><ul><li>Understanding Community Land Trusts — Shelterforce</li><li> <a href="https://shelterforce.org/2021/07/12/understanding-community-land-trusts/" target="_blank">https://shelterforce.org/2021/07/12/understanding-community-land-trusts/</a></li><li>Stewardship Works — Shelterforce</li><li> <a href="https://shelterforce.org/2010/12/24/stewardship_works/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">https://shelterforce.org/2010/12/24/stewardship_works/</a></li><li>Shared Equity — Shelterforce</li><li> <a href="https://shelterforce.org/2018/05/07/shared-equity/" target="_blank">https://shelterforce.org/2018/05/07/shared-equity/</a></li><li>Community Land Trusts: The Basics — Lincoln Institute of Land Policy</li><li> [verify/update PDF link before publishing]</li><li>How Community Land Trusts Are Powering Co-op Growth in Canada: Lessons for the U.S. — Grounded Solutions Network</li><li> <a href="https://groundedsolutions.org/how-clts-are-powering-co-op-growth-in-canada-lessons-for-the-u-s/" target="_blank">https://groundedsolutions.org/how-clts-are-powering-co-op-growth-in-canada-lessons-for-the-u-s/</a></li></ul><h3>Housing Cooperatives &amp; Limited Equity Cooperatives</h3><ul><li>What Is Cooperative Housing? — Cooperative Housing International</li><li> <a href="https://www.housinginternational.coop/what-is-a-housing-cooperative/" target="_blank">https://www.housinginternational.coop/what-is-a-housing-cooperative/</a></li><li>Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives: Why They’re a Solution for Our Times — Nonprofit Quarterly</li><li> <a href="https://nonprofitquarterly.org/limited-equity-housing-cooperatives-why-theyre-a-solution-for-our-times/" target="_blank">https://nonprofitquarterly.org/limited-equity-housing-cooperatives-why-theyre-a-solution-for-our-times/</a></li><li>Housing Co-ops — California Center for Cooperative Development</li><li> <a href="https://www.cccd.coop/co-op-info/co-op-types/housing-co-ops" target="_blank">https://www.cccd.coop/co-op-info/co-op-types/housing-co-ops</a></li><li>Community Land Trusts vs. Co-ops: Resources — Bay Area Community Land Trust</li><li> <a href="https://www.bayareaclt.org/clts-vs-co-ops-resources" target="_blank">https://www.bayareaclt.org/clts-vs-co-ops-resources</a></li><li>Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives — Sustainable San Mateo</li><li> <a href="https://sustainablesanmateo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Limited-Equity-Housing-Cooperatives_202401.pdf" target="_blank">https://sustainablesanmateo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Limited-Equity-Housing-Cooperatives_202401.pdf</a></li></ul><h3>San Diego Example</h3><ul><li>Avanzando San Ysidro Groundbreaking — San Diego Housing Commission</li><li> <a href="https://sdhc.org/news-release/avanzando-groundbreaking/" target="_blank">https://sdhc.org/news-release/avanzando-groundbreaking/</a></li></ul><p></p>

Episode thumbnail for The Cost of Going Backward: HUD's New Approach to Homelessness

June 23, 2026

The Cost of Going Backward: HUD's New Approach to Homelessness

<p>HUD recently released its 2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), signaling a major shift in federal homelessness policy. In this special episode of Defining Affordable, Jaime and Robin examine the proposed changes, the evidence behind them, and what they could mean for communities across the country.</p><p>HUD argues that Housing First has failed and proposes a renewed emphasis on transitional housing, recovery-focused programs, and new measures of self-sufficiency. But do the data support that conclusion?</p><p>Drawing on decades of research, local experience, and examples from communities across the nation, Jaime breaks down the claims made in the NOFO and explores why many housing professionals are concerned that these changes could reverse hard-won progress in reducing homelessness and improving housing stability.</p><p>The conversation examines the real costs of homelessness, the effectiveness of Housing First and Permanent Supportive Housing, and the potential consequences of moving away from evidence-based approaches that have helped communities achieve measurable results.</p><p>Resources referenced during the episode, including opportunities for advocacy and further reading, are included below.</p><h2>Sources &amp; Further Reading</h2><h3>HUD's 2026 Continuum of Care NOFO</h3><ul><li>HUD News Release — HUD Announces 2026 Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)</li><li><a href="https://www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-26-038" target="_blank">https://www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-26-038</a></li><li>HUD — FY 2026 Continuum of Care Competition Stakeholder Memo</li><li><a href="https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/OCHCO/documents/Stakeholder-Memo.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/OCHCO/documents/Stakeholder-Memo.pdf</a></li><li>National Alliance to End Homelessness — FY 2026 Continuum of Care Competition NOFO Analysis</li><li><a href="https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FY2026-Continuum-of-Care-Competition-NOFO-Analysis.pdf" target="_blank">https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FY2026-Continuum-of-Care-Competition-NOFO-Analysis.pdf</a></li><li>National Coalition for the Homeless — HUD Policy Updates and Analysis</li><li><a href="https://nationalhomeless.org/tag/hud/" target="_blank">https://nationalhomeless.org/tag/hud/</a></li><li>Shelterforce — Judge Blocks HUD Overhaul of Federal Funding for Homelessness Services</li><li><a href="https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/23/judge-blocks-hud-overhaul-federal-funding-for-homelessness-services/" target="_blank">https://shelterforce.org/2026/01/23/judge-blocks-hud-overhaul-federal-funding-for-homelessness-services/</a></li><li>Public Rights Project — National Alliance to End Homelessness v. HUD: Fact Sheet</li><li><a href="https://www.publicrightsproject.org/naeh-v-hud-fact-sheet/" target="_blank">https://www.publicrightsproject.org/naeh-v-hud-fact-sheet/</a></li></ul><h3>Housing First &amp; Permanent Supportive Housing</h3><ul><li>Urban Institute — Housing First Is Still the Best Approach to Ending Homelessness</li><li><a href="https://housingmatters.urban.org/articles-features/housing-first-still-best-approach-ending-homelessness" target="_blank">https://housingmatters.urban.org/articles-features/housing-first-still-best-approach-ending-homelessness</a></li><li>National Alliance to End Homelessness — Cost Savings from Permanent Supportive Housing</li><li><a href="https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cost-Savings-from-PSH.pdf" target="_blank">https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cost-Savings-from-PSH.pdf</a></li><li>Jamboree Housing Corporation — Permanent Housing Ends Homelessness</li><li><a href="https://www.jamboreehousing.com/pages/permanent-housing-ends-homelessness-presentations" target="_blank">https://www.jamboreehousing.com/pages/permanent-housing-ends-homelessness-presentations</a></li><li>National Center for Biotechnology Information — Housing First Is Associated with Reduced Use of Emergency Medical Services</li><li><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6446444/" target="_blank">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6446444/</a></li></ul><h3>Homelessness, Health, &amp; Housing Stability</h3><ul><li>California Policy Lab — Health Conditions Among Unsheltered Adults in the United States</li><li><a href="https://capolicylab.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Health-Conditions-Among-Unsheltered-Adults-in-the-US.pdf" target="_blank">https://capolicylab.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Health-Conditions-Among-Unsheltered-Adults-in-the-US.pdf</a></li><li>Voice of San Diego — Project 25: The Pilot Project Aimed at San Diego's Most Difficult Homeless Cases Showed Promise—Then Died</li><li><a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2022/10/17/project-25-the-pilot-project-aimed-at-san-diegos-most-difficult-homeless-cases-showed-promise-then-died/" target="_blank">https://voiceofsandiego.org/2022/10/17/project-25-the-pilot-project-aimed-at-san-diegos-most-difficult-homeless-cases-showed-promise-then-died/</a></li></ul><h3>Harm Reduction</h3><ul><li>American Academy of HIV Medicine — Syringe Exchange and Harm Reduction</li><li><a href="https://aahivm.org/syringe-exchange-harm-reduction/" target="_blank">https://aahivm.org/syringe-exchange-harm-reduction/</a></li><li>NPR — 5 Years After Indiana's Historic HIV Outbreak, Many Rural Areas Remain at Risk</li><li><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/16/801720966/5-years-after-indianas-historic-hiv-outbreak-many-rural-places-remain-at-risk" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/16/801720966/5-years-after-indianas-historic-hiv-outbreak-many-rural-places-remain-at-risk</a></li></ul><h3>Rent Control</h3><ul><li>ScienceDirect — Rent Control Effects Through the Lens of Empirical Research: An Almost Complete Review of the Literature</li><li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1051137724000020" target="_blank">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1051137724000020</a></li></ul><h3>Housing Affordability &amp; Rent Trends</h3><ul><li>Realtor.com — January 2026 Rent Report</li><li><a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2026-rent/" target="_blank">https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2026-rent/</a></li><li>In2013Dollars.com — Historical Rent Inflation Data</li><li><a href="https://www.in2013dollars.com/Rent-of-primary-residence/price-inflation" target="_blank">https://www.in2013dollars.com/Rent-of-primary-residence/price-inflation</a></li></ul><p></p><h2>Take Action</h2><h3>Contact Your Representatives</h3><p>Share your thoughts on the proposed FY 2026 Continuum of Care NOFO with your elected officials:</p><p><a href="https://www.votervoice.net/CSH/Campaigns/137566/Respond" target="_blank">https://www.votervoice.net/CSH/Campaigns/137566/Respond</a></p><h3>Explore the Impact</h3><p>See how the proposed NOFO changes could affect communities across the country:</p><p><a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/naeh1302/viz/FY26NOFOImpactAnalysis/Dashboard1#1" target="_blank">https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/naeh1302/viz/FY26NOFOImpactAnalysis/Dashboard1#1</a></p>

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What is Defining Affordable: A Housing Solutions Podcast?

Defining Affordable: A Housing Solutions Podcast explores the policies, history, and real-world forces behind the chronic—and increasingly severe—shortage of affordable housing in the United States. Hosted by affordable housing professionals Jaime and Robin, the show breaks down complex housing issues and highlights practical solutions for people working in the housing industry, curious listeners who want to better understand the problem, and those navigating the challenges of finding an affordable place to live.

Subscribe to our free substack: https://substack.com/@definingaffordable

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Information about guest appearances is not available.

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