The SAHMA Exchange

In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, we sit down with Justin Brooks, Executive Director and President of the South Mississippi Housing Authority, for a conversation about affordable housing, leadership, family and what happens when your professional mission becomes deeply personal.

Justin originally planned to become a city manager after earning his master’s degree in public administration. But when housing-related challenges landed on his desk early in his career, he discovered work he loved. Since entering the affordable housing industry in 2004, his career has taken him through tax credit development, HUD, consulting and ultimately back to the public housing sector.

Along the way, Justin says he found not only the “what” of his work, but his “why.”

That why has evolved considerably. Justin and his wife are raising seven children, and their two youngest, Bailey and Jonah, have been diagnosed with Mainzer-Saldino syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder. Their family’s experience has changed the way Justin thinks about housing, accessibility, accommodations and what communities need to look like for future generations of people with disabilities.

Justin shares why meeting minimum accessibility requirements isn’t enough, why accommodations should begin with the person rather than a checklist, and why affordable housing leaders need to be deliberate and intentional about creating communities where people with disabilities can live full, meaningful lives.

We also talk about empathy, kindness, marriage and family, vulnerability in leadership, finding the “heart” in the people we hire, and Justin’s forthcoming book, Against All Odds by Design.

Mainzer-Saldino syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized primarily by kidney disease, retinal/vision problems and skeletal abnormalities. It is usually caused by variants in the IFT140 gene, which affects the formation and function of cilia—tiny structures on cells that play important roles throughout the body.

Chronic kidney disease typically begins during childhood and can progress to kidney failure. Retinal degeneration is also common and can cause significant vision impairment. Skeletal abnormalities, particularly involving the bones of the fingers, are another characteristic of the condition.

Because Mainzer-Saldino syndrome is extraordinarily rare, its true prevalence is unknown. The NIH’s MedlinePlus Genetics notes that at least 20 cases had been reported in the medical literature reflected in its summary.

Learn more: NIH MedlinePlus Genetics — Mainzer-Saldino Syndrome
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/mainzer-saldino-syndrome/

More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults has some type of disability. According to the CDC, disabilities affecting cognition, mobility, independent living, hearing, vision and self-care are among those represented in this population.

CDC: Disability Impacts All of Us
https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/articles-documents/disability-impacts-all-of-us-infographic.html

About 1 in 31 8-year-old children was identified with autism spectrum disorder in the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network in 2022. The estimate is based on 16 U.S. monitoring communities and should not be interpreted as representing every child in the United States.

CDC: Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual observance recognizing the contributions people with disabilities make to America’s workplaces and economy and the importance of expanding opportunities for people with disabilities.

The 2026 NDEAM theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

Justin’s story challenges us to think beyond employment alone and consider the full picture of adulthood: Where will people with disabilities live? Where will they work? How will they participate in their communities? And are we building the housing, workplaces and support systems today that future generations will need tomorrow?

Learn more about NDEAM:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

Justin and Renee discuss:

• How an unexpected assignment led Justin to a career in affordable housing
• Finding—and allowing yourself to redefine—your “why”
• How Justin’s children changed the way he approaches housing and leadership
• The future housing needs of people with disabilities
• Moving beyond minimum accessibility and accommodation requirements
• Seeing the person behind an accommodation request
• Why empathy and kindness matter even when we can’t fully understand someone else’s experience
• Being deliberate and intentional in housing development
• Supporting a spouse while raising a large, blended family and navigating significant medical challenges
• How lived experience has influenced Justin’s leadership style
• Looking for “heart” when hiring affordable housing professionals
• Why vulnerability matters in leadership
• Justin’s forthcoming book, Against All Odds by Design
• Getting back to the people at the heart of affordable housing

The SAHMA Exchange: A Conversation with Jeffrey Wirrick

What keeps someone in affordable housing for 35 years?

For Jeffrey Wirrick, Chief Operating Officer of National Housing Compliance, it started with an unexpected first job out of college and grew into a career dedicated to affordable housing, compliance and service.

In this episode, Jeff joins The SAHMA Exchange to reflect on what he’s learned throughout his career and where he believes the industry needs to go next.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How an accounting major found his way into affordable housing — and never left
• Jeff’s path to National Housing Compliance and his work with the Performance-Based Contract Administration program
• Why compliance is about much more than checking boxes
• The role compliance plays in keeping affordable housing properties sustainable for decades
• Why the housing crisis persists after decades of attention
• The impact of regulation, limited resources and the increasing difficulty of developing affordable housing
• Why passing housing legislation is only the beginning — and implementation matters
• The challenge of recruiting the next generation of affordable housing professionals
• What younger employees are looking for from employers, including competitive pay, flexibility, workplace culture and a voice within their organizations
• How affordable housing organizations can compete for talent
• Why developing future leaders requires understanding generational differences
• The role purpose, service and a “heart for the work” continue to play in attracting and retaining people in affordable housing

About Our Guest

Jeffrey Wirrick is Chief Operating Officer of National Housing Compliance and has more than 35 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. He oversees NHC’s Asset Management Division and works across areas including management and occupancy reviews, contract renewals, physical inspections, compliance, quality assurance and risk management.

Before joining NHC, Jeff spent 11 years with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. He is also a longtime industry trainer and speaker, has participated in national housing work groups and steering committees, and serves on SAHMA’s Regulatory Committee.

The SAHMA Exchange is a podcast where policy, property management and people meet.

What does good leadership really look like in affordable housing?

Sondra Wimbs and Michael Johnson have spent decades answering that question—not just as executives, but as longtime SAHMA members, past SAHMA presidents, mentors and now facilitators for the SAHMA Leadership Academy.

In this episode, they join The SAHMA Exchange to share what their careers taught them about developing people, building relationships and becoming better leaders.

In this episode:

• How Sondra and Michael found their way into affordable housing—and why they stayed
• The role SAHMA played in their professional and leadership development
• Why leadership is a learned skill, not something you’re simply born with
• What it really means to influence others
• How to recognize leadership potential—even when someone doesn’t have a leadership title
• Why listening can sometimes be more valuable than fixing
• How collaboration and different perspectives lead to better decisions
• Leading with emotional intelligence, empathy and kindness
• Why emerging leaders need both technical knowledge and people skills
• The role AI can—and can’t—play in leadership and decision-making
• Why relationships will continue to matter as technology changes the industry
• Practical ways to strengthen your leadership skills
• The value of setting goals and practicing leadership every day

Resource Mentioned: Emotional Intelligence

Michael recommended Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ as a resource for leaders who want to better understand and develop the people side of leadership. The book explores why qualities such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills can play such an important role in how we work with and influence others.

SAHMA Leadership Academy

The SAHMA Leadership Academy is designed to help affordable housing professionals strengthen their leadership skills and prepare for greater responsibility within their organizations and the industry. Sondra and Michael currently serve as Leadership Academy facilitators, helping participants develop and, as they emphasized during the episode, “practice, practice, practice” the skills that effective leadership requires.

Learn more about the SAHMA Leadership Academy at www.sahma.org/leadership-academy

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Episode Overview

What does a property manager really do?

If your answer is collecting rent or overseeing maintenance, you're only scratching the surface.

Today's affordable housing property managers are business leaders, compliance experts, customer service professionals, maintenance coordinators, problem solvers, and trusted resources for residents—all while leading teams and navigating an increasingly complex industry.

In this episode, Josh Johnson and Layne Hurst pull back the curtain on what the job truly requires and explain why the best property managers don't simply manage buildings—they serve people.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why property management is often misunderstood

• How the role has evolved before and after the pandemic

• Why leadership and a servant mindset matter more than ever

• The biggest surprises new property managers face

• What separates great property managers from those who struggle

• Why understanding your community should come first

• Common misconceptions from owners, vendors, and residents

• How staffing shortages are changing the industry

• Recruiting strategies for attracting the right talent

• The growing importance of technology and automation

• What continues to inspire long-time leaders in affordable housing

Guests

Josh Johnson

Layne Hurst

In this episode:

• How a red wagon launched Reese's affordable housing career

• Getting his start in maintenance and learning the business from the ground up

• Moving from maintenance technician to district manager

• What a typical day looks like for the president of a management company

• The secret to staying passionate about affordable housing after 50 years

• The biggest change Reese has seen in the industry: technology

• Why the people around him helped him adapt and succeed

• How SAHMA has supported his career through networking, education, and problem solving

• The biggest benefit of SAHMA membership

• A career-defining moment: making children happy

• The legacy Reese hopes to leave behind: being fair and being available

• His advice for the next generation of affordable housing professionals

In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, we talk with Melissa Martinez, Training Specialist with SPM, about her career journey, her passion for affordable housing, and the residents who have left a lasting impact on her life.

Topics discussed include:

• Getting started in affordable housing right out of high school

The SAHMA Exchange is a podcast where policy, people, and property management meet.

Guests:

Episode Overview

Affordable housing advocacy is often viewed as something that happens in Washington, D.C., but the reality is that every affordable housing professional has a role to play in shaping the future of the industry.

In this episode, Larry Keys and Glenda Leduc discuss why advocacy matters, how public perception influences policy decisions, and why lawmakers need to hear directly from the people managing affordable housing communities every day.

Key Discussion Topics

The Challenges Facing Affordable Housing

Why Advocacy Matters

Policy vs. Reality

Public Perception and Misconceptions

Advocacy in Action

Memorable Quotes

"Our job is to make it hard for lawmakers to look the other way."

"We're not just dealing with buildings. We're dealing with lives."

"If we're not telling the affordable housing story, someone else will."

For more resources, educational opportunities and industry updates, visit SAHMA.org and subscribe to The SAHMA Exchange wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Recorded live at the 2025 SAHMA Leadership Conference.

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