Welcome to Apropos, where insightful conversations meet the intersection of finance, real estate, and the greater societal landscape. In this episode, we're joined by esteemed guest Ms. Shannon Huffer, Vice President at Colliers, and an expert in affordable housing, for an immersive discussion – “The Housing Crisis and Affordable Housing Alternatives" – and the consequential ripples felt in the real estate financial markets.

We begin by providing a comprehensive national overview of the current state of affordable housing. Our discussion sheds light on the challenges faced and the dynamic nature of the affordable housing landscape, especially in the context of recent external factors. Addressing the findings from “The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Rental Homes” report by The National Low Income Housing Coalition, we explore the shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income households. Our focus extends to the disproportionate impact on Black, Latinos, and Indigenous households and ways national policies can address these racial disparities.

Recognizing the need for substantial, long-term investments from the federal government, we delve into specific policies and investments crucial in addressing the nationwide shortage of affordable housing units. This segment aims to provide insights into potential solutions on a broader scale. As we discuss short-term measures, including the potential permanence of the COVID-era Emergency Rental Assistance Program, we evaluate their effectiveness on a national scale. Additionally, we explore the role of federal programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program in mitigating immediate challenges.

Turning our attention to local communities and initiatives, we examine their role in shaping and implementing effective affordable housing policies. Drawing from successful examples in the Midwest, we highlight local reforms that contribute to the development of affordable housing solutions. The conversation extends to the importance of expanding federal renter protections, particularly those prohibiting discrimination based on source of income. We explore how such protections can address power imbalances and prevent housing instability, with a focus on the Midwest.

Bringing the discussion closer to home, we explore the role of community engagement in shaping and implementing effective affordable housing policies in our hometown of Louisville, KY. We showcase local initiatives and community-driven efforts addressing housing challenges on a more personal level.

Our focus zooms in on the critical challenges confronting the senior housing sector in America. We explore the trifecta of concerns: affordability, accessibility, and availability. Additionally, we delve into the transformative integration of technology, an instrumental tool in fortifying safety measures, enhancing communication channels, and broadening seniors' access to vital healthcare services in the US.

During the intense scrutiny of the COVID-19 pandemic, stringent lockdowns
and safety protocols aimed at safeguarding seniors paradoxically exacerbated their isolation. The restrictions on visitations and communal engagements inflicted a toll on mental well-being, leading to heightened loneliness and depression among our senior population. 

Beyond the human impact, the COVID-19 pandemic also took a significant financial toll on the industry, especially the skilled nursing sector of the care spectrum. As regulatory leniency during the pandemic shielded financial distress within these communities, a stark reality now emerges—we can no longer defer addressing these financial challenges. With Mr. Scribner actively engaged in the non-performing loan market for this asset class, we anticipate an influx of distressed opportunities surfacing in the marketplace in 2024.

In this engaging episode of Apropos, presented by Ness & Associates and CFA Society New York, esteemed guest Mr. Frank Kelly delves into a compelling discussion on "The Latest in Geopolitics and the Chaos in D.C." and their consequential impacts on global financial markets.

On this month's show, we are joined by Michael Edwards, Deputy CIO at Weiss Multi-Strategy Advisers LLC. During this episode, we ventured into a comprehensive exploration of the macroeconomic and geopolitical forces currently shaping our global landscape. Our discourse encompassed multifaceted issues, ranging from the intricacies of mainland China to the phenomenon of Japanification within its economy. Additionally, we delved into the intricacies of de-dollarization unfolding within the BRICS economies and provided an insightful update on the ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict.

Our exploration further extended to domestic matters, specifically focusing on pertinent subjects affecting the United States' financial markets. We examined the pressing concern of the United States' National Debt crisis and the strategies deployed in the fight against inflation.

Kudos to Michael Ball, who brilliantly accompanied me on Apropos for a riveting discussion – "Six Months Since SVB." Our conversation traversed the entirety of the economic landscape post the seismic tremors of the Silicon Valley Bank crash while concluding that more consolidation will be required in the banking sector. Delving deep, we scrutinized climate change’s impending onslaught on the commercial real estate sector, as a result of soaring insurance premiums, as well as the secular shift in the office sector due to the new paradigm in office labor supply due to WFH/remote work. Moreover, we did not shy away from examining the deluge of newfound liquidity surging from the infrastructure sector into more esoteric real estate asset classes such as data centers, student housing, charter schools, et cetera.