The housing and communities that people live in can influence nearly every aspect of their lives; from where they work to how they get there, the quality of the schools in their area, and even their longevity. Today, we take a deep dive into how zoning, land use policies, and efforts like NIMBYism affect affordability, equality in education, and economic mobility in our communities. Joining us to discuss this topic is Yonah Freemark, a Principal Research Associate at the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Yonah is the Research Director of the Land Use Lab at Urban where his research focuses on the intersection of land use, affordable housing, transportation, and governance. Tuning in, you’ll learn how the Urban Institute works toward using public policy to create a brighter future for all, what it looks like to close the Black-white wealth gap in America, the need to shift our focus from policy to the needs of the individual, the importance of allowing people access to the communities they want to live in and redirecting investments into the communities that need them most, and much more! You won’t want to miss this thought-provoking conversation.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Yonah became interested in #policy, #housing, transportation, land use and the way people live.
• Public policy for a better future: insight into the work that the #Urban Institute does.
• The impact of the Great Recession on closing the Black-White #wealth gap in the US.
• Ways to address racial #inequality as a result of exclusionary #landuse policies.
• What it means to improve #equity for people across race and gender boundaries.
• NIMBYism and the role of the federal government in leveling the playing field for affordable housing development in local communities.
• The impact that county governments with a regional outlook can have on land use policy.
• Correlations between zoning policies and access to opportunity.
• A look at the Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing (MTO) initiative in Chicago, the story of the impact of #YIMBY activism in New Haven’s West Rock community, and other impactful initiatives.
• Perspectives on solving unjust public policies and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
• The power of individual actions and citizen initiatives.
• Key takeaways from this discussion and actionable advice for anyone listening.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Yonah Freemark

Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center

Urban Institute

Land Use Lab at Urban (LULU)

Yonah Freemark on X

Yonah Freemark on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email

YIMBY Nation

Bringing about positive public policy change requires knowledge, insight, and above all, commitment. Our guest today, Michele "Dr. Tiny" Williams, has had a varied career that spans the military, real estate, and public policy. While conducting research for her recent Ph.D. in Public Policy, she examined the relationship between health and housing, the results of which had a huge impact on the latter half of her career.  After realizing the substantial role that geography played in health outcomes, Michele recognized that your zip code shouldn’t determine your lifespan. Her experience during a bike adventure that involved helping communities fix their homes further catalyzed Michele to become involved in housing and public policy. Since then, she has made it her mission to transform public housing and address the systemic inefficiencies that are putting countless people in a position where they face homelessness or risk making dire compromises. She is the chief visionary behind COBA US, a non-profit organization that seeks to establish policy development, with a focus on tiny house communities and affordable rentals. Michele is also the Executive Director of The Fuller Center of Housing in Delaware.  In our conversation today, Michele delves into the many elements of her work, including the extensive policy work she’s done over the past few years, the benefits and drawbacks of tiny homes, and how to listen to the needs of the communities you work with before taking action. To learn more about Michele and how these organizations are challenging the status quo, be sure to tune in to this inspiring conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Michele’s varied career in the military, entrepreneurship, and real estate.
• How Michele earned her Ph.D. in public policy and her interest in health and housing.
• The non-profit, COBA US, and how it was founded as a result of a bike adventure.
• Michele’s connection to Habitat for Humanity.
• Some of the problems that can arise from partnering with government entities.
• COBA US’s relationship with government officials and why they don’t do any lobbying.
• How COBA US engages with their communities and corporations.
• The extensive policy work that Michele has been occupied with over the past three years.
• The current reach of COBA US and how they are looking to expand.
• An overview of the tiny house movement.
• The drawbacks and benefits of owning a tiny home.
• Michele’s book recommendations for anyone interested in Tiny Homes, a history of housing in America, and more.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dirt to Keys website - Soon to launch

Michele A. Williams on LinkedIn

Michele A. Williams Email

The Tiny House Alliance USA

COBA US Info Sheet

The Habitat for Humanity

YIMBY Delaware

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation

Most of us assume that the case for reparations to address the inhumane legacy of slavery is primarily about financial compensation. But that’s not necessarily the case. In part two of our conversation with Valerie White, we take a closer look at systemic inequities in the US and the potential for reparations to begin to repair them. We discuss the role that slavery and segregation played in creating the massive racial wealth gap and how it continues to define modern America. Next, Valerie unpacks what reparations might look like beyond financial compensation, and why systemic change is needed in all sectors of government, from education to housing. She also confronts the polarized state of US politics and the hostility that some groups have toward equity and change. Despite the enduring injustices of the status quo and the glacial pace of systemic change, Valerie still finds reasons for hope in the small victories she comes across in her advocacy work. To hear more of Valerie’s insights, and the remainder of our conversation on disrupting systemic inequities, be sure to tune in today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An overview of the racial wealth gap in the US.
• Historical factors that have contributed to systemic inequality.
• Reparation efforts and examples of initiatives that have decreased the racial wealth gap.
• Why the term ‘reparations’ covers more than just financial reparations.
• The systemic repairs that need to take place in the US.
• Valerie’s limited expectations for systemic change.
• How Valerie finds hope when systemic change is so incremental.
• Political polarization in the US and how different groups view equity.
• A breakdown of the holistic and intentional approach that LISC NY takes in uplifting communities.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Valerie White on LinkedIn

Valerie Email

LISC NY

LISC on LinkedIn

LISC NY on LinkedIn

LISC on Facebook

LISC NY on Facebook

The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860–2020

The Color of Money

Ford Foundation

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation

Founded in 1979, The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a non-profit organization that has played a pivotal role in growing community development initiatives across the country for over three decades. Joining us today to discuss LISC’s work, community advocacy, systemic inequities, and more, is Senior Executive Director at LISC NY Valerie White. We kick off Part I of our conversation with Valerie by talking about her upbringing and how her parents inspired her to become involved with advocacy work and public service. She goes on to describe her time at New York Housing Authority (NYCHA) and reflects on how it shaped her outlook as well as the important work the organization has done for marginalized communities. Valerie also provides a detailed breakdown of the initiatives at LISC NY, including their Developers of Color Program, and why it’s so important for creating greater access and opportunity for BIPOC individuals. She goes on to unpack what can be learned from rapidly developing cities across Africa and the lessons she came away with after her visits to countries like Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire. Join us today to learn about the important work LISC NY is doing to uplift underinvested communities and what to expect from them going forward. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Valerie White, Senior Executive Director at The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) NY.
• Learn about the history of LISC and the work it’s doing to uplift underinvested communities.
• The work that Valerie’s parents did as public servants, and how they inspired her advocacy work.
• Valerie’s work at New York Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the important strides that they have made in housing over the past three decades.
• What can be learned from rapidly developing cities in Africa.
• Valerie’s trips to Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire and what she learned from her visits.
• Learn about The Developers of Color program offered by LISC.
• Examples of how developers of color are excluded from access and opportunities.
• The role that capital plays in your level of agency and access.
• An overview of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) certification.
• Learn who can take part in The Developers of Color program in New York.
• How LISC is financing comprehensive community development that goes beyond housing.

Join us in a few weeks for Part I of a can't-miss conversation!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Valerie White on LinkedIn

Valerie White on Twitter

Valerie Email

LISC NY

LISC on LinkedIn

LISC NY on LinkedIn

LISC on Facebook

LISC NY on Facebook

Ford Foundation

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation

We are a country in crisis. Poverty, homelessness, and unfit housing continues to plague our society, along with issues of race and gender in America. During today’s conversation, leading economist Dr. Fred McKinney weighs in on the distinction between absolute and relative poverty; his belief is that while there will always be relative poor living among us, our focus should be on eradicating the presence of absolute poverty. Tune in to hear about the importance of government support, how the last six years have revealed that the country is in crisis, and why the poverty crisis cannot be separated from the problem of race and gender. Hear why Dr. Fred’s advice to listeners is that history, government, and activism are all important. He reminds listeners that nobody is going to save you, so you have to band together and get organized. Join the conversation today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Absolute poverty versus relative poverty and how this pertains to life in America today.
• What happened when there were no housing codes in 1890.
• The landlords in New Haven who were taken to criminal housing court for the conditions of their rental properties. 
• The danger of laissez faire economics. 
• Why Dr. Fred believes there will always be relative poor living among us.
• His belief that we should therefore focus on eradicating the presence of absolute poverty.
• The importance of government in creating infrastructures to support this. 
• How the last six years have revealed that the country is in crisis. 
• Why the poverty crisis cannot be separated from the problem of race and gender. 
• How the Roe v Wade ruling resembles 19th Century America.
• Threats Dr. Fred has been receiving in response to his column on the Connecticut Post.
• Redlining and how history plays a role in helping us understand where we are today. 
• Dr. Fred’s parting message: history is important, government is important, and activism is important.
• His reminder that nobody is going to save you, so you have to band together and get organized!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Fred McKinney on LinkedIn

Dr. Fred McKinney on Twitter

Dr. Fred McKinney on Email
BJM Solutions 

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation

America is in a housing crisis. Following the pandemic, inflation is on the rise leading to  widespread housing issues. With rising rental prices and a plummeting home ownership market, homelessness and substandard housing are also on the rise. Today’s guest, Dr. Fred McKinney, is a leading economist working in higher education and consulting in business development, with a focus on corporate social responsibility and diversity training. During today’s conversation, Dr. Fred shares his insights on the critical role of affordable housing in supporting low and moderate-income citizens, the relationship between mental health and homelessness, and short and long term solutions to the homelessness and ill-housing problem. We touch on the gap between the myth of success and the reality of what it takes to get there, and how business participation in development can help create generational wealth. Dr. Fred shares what he has uncovered through surveying supplier diversity professionals, and reveals the pernicious effect of corporations masquerading as supporting minority-owned businesses. Join us today to hear his thoughts about policing this problem, increasing responsibility, prioritizing fairness and whistleblowing, and much more! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s guest, Dr. Fred McKinney, with BJM Solutions.
• How pandemic-related inflation has further impacted the housing market. 
• The federal reserve’s increase in interest rates which has affected home ownership markets.
• The critical role of affordable housing in supporting low and moderate income citizens.
• How homelessness and substandard housing creates stress on households and children.
• The relationship between mental health and homelessness. 
• Short term solutions of offering support to the symptoms of homelessness. 
• Long term solutions which lead to questions about how to support the poor in the long term. 
• The gap between the myth of success and the reality of what it takes to succeed.
• Creating businesses and generational wealth through business participation in development.
• What Dr. Fred found when he surveyed supplier diversity professionals in large corporations.
• The pernicious effect of corporations that front as building minority-owned businesses.
• Why pass-through’s don’t generate community wealth, but end up in large firms instead.
• Policing these transactions in private and public contracts through whistleblowing.
• How to increase these policing structures through increased responsibility, minorities alerting the authorities, and creating public pressure.
• An invitation to join us for part two of this conversation on September 2.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Fred McKinney on LinkedIn

Dr. Fred McKinney on Twitter
BJM Solutions 

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation

Being an entrepreneur is challenging, but if you enter the journey with a willingness to stick through the tough times, you can go further than you ever thought possible. This is the story of today’s guest, Sadie Marshall, who founded Sadie’s Pro Cleaning at the end of 2018. When the pandemic hit and she lost all of her clients, but instead of giving up on her dreams, she pivoted from a commercial and residential cleaning business to a crime scene and hazard cleaning business. Over the past few years, Sadie's Pro Cleaning has grown from strength to strength. Join us today to hear how Sadie has flourished in a male-dominated industry, turning herself from an unemployed single mom into a successful business owner who is getting ready to buy her own house!  

Key Points From This Episode:

• Sadie and Vincencia’s first meeting, and the special relationship they have had since.
• Statistics that highlight how difficult it is to succeed as a small business.
• What Sadie's Pro Cleaning started as, and how it has changed since the pandemic.
• Two pivotal moments in Sadie's life that have led her to where she is today.
• How Sadie funded her business initially, and the funding sources she turned to when she pivoted during the pandemic. 
• Why Sadie recommends every business owner hires a CPA.
• Dirty Rotten Cleaners; the new T.V. show that Sadie’s Pro Cleaners is featured on.
• The pushback that Sadie received about her logo, and why she decided to stick with it.
• How Sadie’s life has changed since she became a successful entrepreneur. 
• Advice from Sadie for any other entrepreneurs starting a business. 
• Sadie’s goals for the year. 
• The biggest challenge that Sadie has experienced on her journey as an entrepreneur.
• Sadie's commitment to diversity and challenges she's experienced.
• Sadie also discusses how the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program helped her realize her dreams.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sadie’s Pro Cleaning Business Line — 183377SADIE

Sadie’s Pro Cleaning Business Line — 2033509464 

Sadie’s Pro Cleaning

Sadie’s Pro Cleaning on Facebook

Sadie’s Pro Cleaning on Instagram

Sadie Marshall on Instagram

Dirty Rotten Cleaners

Dirty Rotten Cleaners Episode 3

Dirty Rotten Cleaners Episode 7

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation

Today,  we are joined by Gregory Russ to talk about how NYCHA is reforming its approach to public housing in New York. Gregory was appointed Chair and CEO of the NYC Housing Authority in 2019. He is a seasoned housing professional with decades of management experience, who has helped to rebuild and strengthen public housing authorities across the country. Gregory begins by laying out the context of the issues New York is facing, where he describes a dysfunctional institutional structure combined with severely undercapitalized housing stock. He touches on the history of NYCHA’s recapitalization issues and the methods they are using to rectify this by reforming their approach in line with the HUD agreement. He breaks down NYCHA’s recent adoption of a property-first mentality, the role of partnerships with investors in growing support, and how programs such as RAD and PACT are being utilized as mechanisms for recapitalization and investment. What Gregory shares is encouraging in terms of the future for NYCHA and public housing in general, so be sure to join for today’s discussion.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Gregory, his education, and his career in the public housing sphere.
• What led to Gregory’s position with NYCHA and how the HUD agreement fits into its new approach.  
• Issues around a dysfunctional institutional structure and an undercapitalized housing stock.
• How NYCHA is transforming its approach using a property-first mentality.
• Gregory’s thoughts on whether public housing in NYC can be sustained.
• The need to reinvest capital into public housing for it to be sustainable.
• The role of partnerships with investors in strengthening the program.
• Gregory’s assessment of RAD and how it is helping sustain public housing.
• The series of investment options provided by NYCHA’s PACT program.
• Past criticism NYCHA has received around poor maintenance and how they are rectifying this. 
• Big achievements Gregory hopes to accomplish with NYCHA in the coming months.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Gregory Russ on LinkedIn

Gregory Russ on Twitter

NYC Housing Authority

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email 

YIMBY Nation