On the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments hosted by Kent Fai He, we sit down with Rochelle Mills, President & CEO of Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO)... one of California’s most forward-thinking nonprofit developers.

In this episode, Rochelle unpacks how IHO is creating beautiful, community-driven affordable housing that blends senior housing, transitional youth housing, and intergenerational design... all while navigating the complex layers of LIHTC equity, city land contributions, and public-private partnerships.

She breaks down their 47-unit Anaheim project that just broke ground! It's a $37 million development that combined city land and loans, Citi Bank financing, and LIHTC tax credit equity... to show exactly how capital stacking can make projects pencil in today’s high-cost environment.

Rochelle also shares actionable lessons on:
- Structuring projects with multiple funding sources (HOME, CDBG, LIHTC, city contributions).
- Using developer fee deferrals to make nonprofit projects financially viable.
- Partnering with cities and service providers to add long-term social impact.
- Designing with dignity... and why aesthetics and thoughtful functionality matter... where the level detailed planning stretched to thinking about how to eliminate the appearance of dark back alleys.

Her story demonstrates how affordable housing can become a catalyst for intergenerational stability, workforce retention, and neighborhood revitalization.

Common questions this episode answers:

How do nonprofit developers finance large affordable housing projects?

What role do city partnerships and land contributions play in making ground up construction deals financially feasible?

How do developers structure funding across LIHTC, HOME, and CDBG programs?

What’s the real impact of intergenerational housing and integrated social services?

Why is design quality essential for long-term success and community pride? 

To connect with Rochelle or explore exclusive content, please visit the Innovative Housing Opportunities website at: ihocommunities.org

You can also reach Rochelle directly via email at: [email protected]

Don't forget to follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-mills-6a4b28a/

Please DM any questions or content suggestions to Kent Fai He, affordable housing developer, educator, and host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments in the United States.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

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00:00 Podcast Trailer 
03:41 Intro (Getting to Know Rochelle: Her Background and Story)
14:59 Real Life Story - Why Everyone Has a Misconception of What Affordable Housing (And How GREAT It Looks Today)
18:38 How Affordable Housing Changes the Lives of Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care!
23:08 Why Should Developers Work with Nonprofit Affordable Housing Developer 
24:33 How Nonprofit Developers Can Partner with For Profit Developers to WIN RFPS & Build More Housing!
38:30 What Impact Do Environmental Issues (Brownfields, Soil Contamination) Have on a Development?
49:02 Real Life Financial Case Study - What Does It Take To Build More Affordable Housing?
50:05 How Are Funds Used To Build Affordable Housing (Real Life Example 47 Units in SoCal)
51:33 Why Is It So Expensive to Build Affordable Housing (Costs You Might Not Think Of)
01:01:15 Why is Affordable Housing (e.g. lack of supply) hard to solve for? 
01:09:20 Where/How to contact Rochelle?