Stacked Against Us

South Bend spent decades defined by what it lost: a factory, a workforce, a future. But instead of trying to resurrect a past that wasn’t coming back, it chose incremental, local repair. This episode explores how a city long in decline wrote a new story on its own terms. Continue to learn more at strongtowns.org/stackedagainstus Strong Towns:  (Video) Can American Cities Save Themselves? This One Thinks So. What now for South Bend neighborhoods after '1,000 houses in 1,000 days'? Strong Towns: A New Generation of Townmakers Strong Towns: Meet the City Leader Turning Vacant Lots Into Homes in Kalamazoo Creating Local Ownership through Alternative Equity (Documentary featuring Jordan Richardson and Tony Ruiz) Strong Towns: The 30-Year Mortgage Was Bad. The 40-Year Mortgage Will Be Even Worse. The Housing-Ready City: Toolkits offering the policies, practices, and financing that will make housing better for everyone.

How can communities rebuild stability in a system designed for speculation? This episode highlights bottom-up efforts where neighbors, small developers, and local leaders are charting a different path. Show notes: Strong Towns: When one extra unit triggers a giant leap in red tape New York Times: Would the Housing Crisis Ease if Boomers Rented Out Their Empty Rooms? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/business/economy/housing-crisis-multifamily-adu.html Strong Towns: How Affordable Housing Distracts People From Housing Affordability Strong Towns: How a Board Game Exposed Barriers to Local Investment & Inspired Change Strong Towns: Death by Parking Strong Towns: A Slow and Steady (but Bittersweet) Victory Against Arcane Parking Mandates Escaping the Housing Trap by Charles Marohn and Daniel Herriges Check out other resources at strongtowns.org/stackedagainstus

John D. Johnson, a parcel-level analyst and local researcher, shares insights on how corporate landlords are reshaping struggling cities like those in the Rust Belt. He discusses the appeal of cheap housing, where low purchase prices meet steady rents, creating a lucrative but risky model for investors. Johnson reveals how financial incentives perpetuate these trends and the negative local impacts, such as evictions and neighborhood instability. He also contrasts strategies between the Sun Belt and Rust Belt, highlighting the unique challenges faced by vulnerable communities.

Chuck Marone, founder of Strong Towns and urban finance advocate, teams up with Don Mullen, former Goldman Sachs partner, to unpack the financialization of housing since the 2008 crash. They explore how federal policies shifted housing from shelter to investment, leading to institutional landlords dominating markets. Mullen highlights strategies to convert foreclosures into rentals, while Marone defines the 'housing trap' that tensions affordability with investor profit. They discuss the implications of corporate ownership on tenants and the urgent need for local solutions.

The podcast dives into how tech-driven landlords have turned housing into a frustrating experience for tenants. Guests share personal horror stories of broken appliances and unresponsive app support. It examines the promises made by property management tech versus the grim realities renters face. The discussion highlights the disturbing trend of treating maintenance workers as gig workers, leading to inconsistent repairs. Finally, experts dissect the corporate mindset that prioritizes scale over tenant care, exacerbating existing housing issues.

This podcast explores how a national economic gamble broke housing, and why local resilience is the only way forward. Learn more at strongtowns.org/stackedagainstus