Housing projects do not rise or fall only on land, design, or political will. They also rise or fall with the cost of capital, aka the capital stack. 

In Episode 2 of The Briefing Room, Dom Butchko and Terry Hickey are joined by Brian McLaughlin, entrepreneur and Board Member of the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, to examine how interest rates, borrowing costs, inflation, insurance, trade policy, tariffs, and broader national economic conditions affect whether housing projects can pencil out.

The conversation connects federal and national policy decisions to the realities facing developers, lenders, local governments, and communities across Maryland, exploring why tighter financing conditions can widen funding gaps, delay projects, and make housing production more difficult even when demand remains high.

Whether you're a policymaker, housing professional, or simply interested in why housing has become more expensive to build, this episode offers valuable insight into the financial realities shaping housing development today.

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