a16z Podcast Can AI Fix Housing and Healthcare Affordability?
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Aug 21, 2025 Minna Song and Tony Stoyanov, co-founders of EliseAI, bring their expertise in tackling inefficiencies in housing and healthcare. They discuss the U.S.'s 5 million housing unit shortfall and how AI can unlock existing supply. The duo highlights automation's role in cutting waste and reducing labor costs, making services more affordable. They envision fully autonomous buildings in housing and healthcare, advocating for technological innovations and regulatory reforms to create better access and reduce household spending.
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Huge Share Of Household Spending
- Housing and healthcare consume roughly 42% of household income and ~40% of GDP.
- Minna Song argues cutting waste in these sectors is critical to societal welfare.
Five Million Unit Shortage
- The US is about 5 million housing units short and needs ~1.8–2M new units yearly to close the gap.
- Minna Song says improving existing supply utilization is a faster short-term lever than building alone.
Automate Inquiries To Fill Units Faster
- Automate inbound leasing inquiries to reduce ghosting and speed occupancy.
- Minna Song notes AI-driven response raised occupancy by ~2% in pilot data.