NAR's Shannon McGahn talks navigating Washington for housing solutions
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
Release Date: 05/19/2025
Pretium Founder & CEO Don Mullen on institutional investment’s role in the future of U.S. housing
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode we welcome Don Mullen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pretium, a specialized investment firm focused on U.S. residential real estate – including single-family rentals and build-to-rent housing – residential credit, and corporate credit. With a platform managing nearly $60 billion in assets, Pretium's portfolio spans nearly 90 markets nationwide and includes ~90,000 single-family homes under management. The firm is also a leader in the build to rent space, having acquired 7,500 single family homes built as rental housing. Mullen joins...
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Addressing homelessness through community health and street medicine
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin sits down with Joseph Becerra, a true pioneer and changemaker in street medicine and community health, whom he had the privilege of shadowing in the field in Los Angeles. Becerra, the original community health worker and co-founder of USC Street Medicine, recounts his remarkable journey from over fifteen years of homelessness to becoming a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Gang Interventionist. He reflects on his lifelong commitment to serving underserved communities, incarcerated individuals,...
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Housing policy, credit scores & the future of mortgages with Lennar Mortgage's President Laura Escobar
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode we welcome Laura Escobar, President of Lennar Mortgage, the lending arm of the nation’s largest homebuilder, Lennar Corporation. With more than 37 years of experience in mortgage banking, Escobar has led at every level — from branch management to executive leadership — in both bank-owned and independent mortgage companies and currently serves as the 2025 Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Escobar joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the Senate’s ROAD to Housing bill, FHFA’s roll out of alternative credit scores,...
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The future of affordable senior housing with SKA Marin's Sydelle Knepper
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode we welcome Sydelle Knepper, Founder and CEO of SKA Marin, a renowned firm recognized for its impactful contributions to real estate and community development across New York and beyond. With more than 30 years of experience, Knepper brings unmatched expertise in both the private and public sectors, having overseen more than a billion dollars in constructed project value. Knepper joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin discuss the future of affordable senior housing, the evolving demand, and the critical connection between housing and healthcare. Together, they...
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LIIF’s Dan Nissenbaum discusses how CDFIs drive affordable housing and economic opportunity
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode, we welcome Dan Nissenbaum, CEO of the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a renowned, national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that has invested over $3.5 billion in transformative projects creating opportunities for low-income individuals and communities. Nissenbaum joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how CDFIs differ from traditional banks and lenders and explores how LIIF leverages tax credits, innovative financing tools, and strategic partnerships to expand access to affordable housing, drive economic empowerment, and revitalize...
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Data and AI’s role in housing with Cotality’s President and CEO Patrick Dodd
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode, we welcome Patrick Dodd, President and CEO of Cotality, formerly known as CoreLogic. Cotality uses real-time property data and insights to help agents, lenders, insurers, and innovators uncover risks, seize opportunities, and drive meaningful impact across the property ecosystem. Dodd joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how Cotality is redefining its role in the housing ecosystem and addressing today's housing trends—from the impact of rising interest rates and insurance costs to how AI is reshaping the property and housing industry, and what it all...
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Michael Novogradac talks housing tax incentives and Opportunity Zones
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode, we welcome Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner of Novogradac, a national professional services firm with deep expertise in tax policy, affordable housing, community development, historic preservation, and opportunity zones. He is a recognized voice in national policy discussions, having testified before Congress and contributed insights to agencies like the U.S. Treasury and the IRS. His commentary is regularly featured in major outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Politico, CNBC, and NPR. Novogradac joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin...
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How state HFAs are addressing the affordable housing shortage
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin talks with Amy Hovey, Executive Director & CEO of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Robin Wiessmann, Executive Director and CEO of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, to discuss how housing finance agencies are addressing the affordable housing shortage in their states. Amy Hovey is the first woman to lead the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. With more than 20 years of experience across government, philanthropy, and the private sector, Amy has built a career rooted in community...
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NAR's Shannon McGahn talks navigating Washington for housing solutions
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week’s episode, we welcome Shannon McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, of the National Association of REALTORS®, which represents over 1.5 million members across every zip code in the U.S. involved in residential and commercial real estate. With nearly 25 years in government and public affairs, she has led major legislative efforts, from guiding the House Financial Services Committee during the financial crisis to helping pass the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as counselor to the U.S. Treasury Secretary. McGahn joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to...
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Former Senator Mel Martinez talks housing policy, bipartisanship, and the path forward
Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing
In this week's episode, we welcome Mel Martinez, former U.S. Senator and former Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and an upcoming recipient of NHC's Carl A.S. Coan, Sr., Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service at our annual on Wednesday, June 11. As the first Cuban American elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Martinez brought a powerful voice to issues like economic development, housing policy, and international relations. He also served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, where he focused on expanding...
info_outlineIn this week’s episode, we welcome Shannon McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, of the National Association of REALTORS®, which represents over 1.5 million members across every zip code in the U.S. involved in residential and commercial real estate. With nearly 25 years in government and public affairs, she has led major legislative efforts, from guiding the House Financial Services Committee during the financial crisis to helping pass the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as counselor to the U.S. Treasury Secretary.
McGahn joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss how NAR is navigating Washington's political landscape to advocate for increased affordable housing supply and access to homeownership, while also working to address housing challenges at the local level.