In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote is joined by Bryan Greene, Vice President, Policy Advocacy, National Association of REALTORS. They discuss fair housing policy, equity in homeownership, and Bryan's background at HUD and beyond. Bryan oversees all legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of the association's 1.4 million members. Before joining NAR, Bryan served for ten years as the highest-ranking career official in HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), where he oversaw the policy direction and operational management of the 600-person office enforcing the nation's housing anti-discrimination laws. Under Bryan's leadership as FHEO General Deputy Assistant Secretary, HUD pursued large-scale, high-profile cases that addressed systemic discrimination and provided widespread relief. Bryan also managed HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) and HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which together provide over $70 million to state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations fighting discrimination in local communities. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Hear more from Bryan on Fair Housing: https://www.nar.realtor/center-for-realtor-development-podcast/ensuring-fair-housing-for-all-with-nars-bryan-greene Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote sits down with Nicole Macri, who represents the 43rd legislative district of Washington. She serves as vice-chair of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee and is a member of the Finance and Appropriations Committees. She is also a member of the Washington State Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Nicole has more than 20 years of experience championing progressive causes on issues around affordable housing, homelessness, human services, and mental health. She has been at the forefront of the Housing First movement nationally, and is a recognized leader in practical and effective strategies that end the homelessness of people living with serious disabilities. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Follow Rep. Macri on Twitter: https://twitter.com/votenicolemacri Learn more about Rep. Macri: https://votenicole.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY In this episode, Laura Foote sits down with Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, who has done substantial work on housing in his state. He grew up in Affordable Housing, and his experience informs his work on increasing Affordable Housing in Maine. A bill he sponsored recently passed in the state that will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine, and he speaks to the challenges the state faces such as the quality of housing, the impact of housing on generational poverty, and the importance of housing security. Links:Speaker Fecteau's philosophy regarding Maine's affordable housing issue: https://ryanfecteau.com/affordable-housing/ Follow Speaker Fecteau on Twitter: https://twitter.com/speakerfecteau Maine's Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions started meeting in August: https://ryanfecteau.com/2021/08/maines-new-commission-to-increase-housing-opportunities-begins-work-this-week/ Speaker Fecteau's bill that passed this year paved the way for this Commission: https://ryanfecteau.com/2021/06/affordable-housing-legislation-sponsored-by-speaker-fecteau-signed-into-law/ One-minute news clip about Speaker Fecteau's affordable housing work: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerFecteau/videos/437420190699725 At the start of 2020, Governor Mills signed Speaker Fecteau's bill making the largest statewide investment in affordable housing:https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-signs-fecteaus-affordable-housing-bill-law-2020-02-12 Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Did you know San Diego recently claimed that housing would be placed on top of a cemetery?? California cities are going through a once-every-eight-year process where they have to create housing plans. The state determines how many homes they'll need based on population growth, job growth, and other factors. But lots of cities have been trying to get away with plans that don't make sense. San Diego's claim that homes will go on top of a cemetery is just one example, and we need to make sure cities all over the state make plans that are actually able to be executed. That's where Jon Wizard, the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements, and the team at YIMBY Law come in. Along with hundreds of volunteers, they're keeping an eye on these housing plans and sending important information to the state (specifically California HCD) in order to hold cities accountable. Join Executive Director Laura Foote in a conversation with Jon Wizard, Policy Director at the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements as they discuss what San Diego's housing element means for other housing plans throughout the state. Learn more about the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements and sign up to be a Watchdog: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action and become a member: https://yimbyaction.org/

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYIn this episode, Laura Foote sits down with David A. Williams, who serves as the Director of Policy Outreach at Opportunity Insights, a research and public policy lab based at Harvard University dedicated to using big data to improve upward mobility in America.Learn more about David: https://opportunityinsights.org/team/david-williams/Learn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYIn this episode, Laura Foote sits down with Salim Furth, a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. His research focuses on housing production and land use regulation and has been published in Critical Housing Analysis and the IZA Journal of Labor Policy. He has testified before several state legislatures as well as the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He frequently advises local government officials on zoning reform and housing affordability. Learn more about Salim: https://www.mercatus.org/scholars/salim-furthLearn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYThis episode, Laura Foote sits down with Chris Leinberger, a land use strategist, developer, professor, researcher and author. Currently, Mr. Leinberger is Managing Partner and Co-founder, Places Platform, LLC, which assesses place-based economic, social equity and public health by measuring and managing economic growth, net fiscal impact, real estate valuation, achieving social equity and increasing public health. Learn more about Christopher: https://chrisleinberger.com/Learn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join

You’re in for a treat! This is the first episode in our special Housing Changemaker Series in partnership with Up For Growth. Up For Growth is an incredible national pro-housing organization and they’re hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY This episode, Laura Foote sits down with Dr. Akilah Watkins who is President and CEO for the Center for Community Progress, America’s nonprofit leader for turning “Vacant Spaces into Vibrant Places.” They are a resource for urban, suburban, and rural communities seeking to address the full cycle of property revitalization. Her career’s work has focused on helping people, communities, and local and federal government drive impactful reform for key issues including land banking, property vacancy, childhood obesity, community health, and economic development. Follow Dr. Akilah Watkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAkilahWB Learn more about the Center for Community Progress: https://communityprogress.org/ Learn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join

SB 9 recently passed in the California Assembly! This is a huge win for housing in California and beyond, and it passed because of the hard work done by pro-housing legislators and YIMBYs all over the state. SB 9 legalizes duplexes and lot splits in single-family zoned neighborhoods all over the state, allowing for more home buying opportunities and missing middle housing for California families. Thank you to all who called, emailed, and tweeted at your representatives to urge them to support SB9. Also, a special thank you to those who wrote op-eds and letters to the editor which helped reach new community members as well as convince lawmakers to support this bill! Today's episode traces SB9's journey through the legislature, starting with the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on June 22, 2021. Come along to hear California State legislators speak about this key bill and its potential impact on housing throughout California. Including speeches from Assemblymembers David Chiu, Buffy Wicks, Robert Rivas, and Chris Holden. Special thanks to our podcast producer Ed who put this together!Learn more about YIMBY Action.

Legalizing fourplexes would not only be a meaningful step toward ending the housing shortage, it would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the Bay Area reach its state-mandated housing goals. Join us for a great conversation with Supervisor Rafael Mandelman talking about his proposed legislation for fourplexes everywhere. Rafael Mandelman is an American attorney and politician currently serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, representing District 8. Prior to his election to the Board of Supervisors, he served on the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees. Learn more about SF YIMBY. Learn more about YIMBY Action.Read more about Supervisor Mandelman’s proposal.Download transcript.