The SAHMA Exchange

The SAHMA Exchange

By SAHMABusinessManagement
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The SAHMA Exchange episodes

  • Senior Housing with Ron & Eric
    Key Topics Covered
    • What “home” means to today’s senior residents
    • Needs vs. wants in senior housing communities
    • When safety, independence, and dignity conflict
    • Real-world decision-making at the property level
    • Staff pressures: resident satisfaction vs. liability
    • Fair Housing and regulatory challenges
    • The role of family communication
    • Technology and AI in senior housing
    • What dignity really looks like in practice
    • Advice for property managers and service coordinators
      • Stats Referenced in This Episode
      • More than 2 million older adults live in federally assisted housing
        https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-featd-article-081417.html
      • Nearly 1 in 3 older adults are cost-burdened
        https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/one-three-older-households-cost-burdened
      • Senior housing occupancy nearing 90% in many markets
        https://seniorhousingnews.com/2026/04/23/average-senior-living-occupancy-surpasses-90-as-low-development-levels-signal-scarcity-ahead/
        • Featured Guests

        Eric Kager

        Executive Vice President
        Benchmark Management Corporation

        Ron Budynas

        Chief Operating Officer
        Wesley Living

        40 min
      • Michelle Cutillo's Story

        In this episode, Michelle Cutillo shares her journey into affordable housing, the moment that defined her career, and how her work in compliance continues to impact residents and communities. The conversation also highlights the importance of professional development, industry collaboration, and advocacy through organizations like SAHMA.

        Key Takeaways

        • Affordable housing careers often begin unexpectedly—but become long-term, purpose-driven work
        • Compliance plays a critical role in preserving and expanding access to housing
        • Professional development and community are essential in a complex, evolving industry
        • Breaking stigma requires collective effort across the industry
        • Behind every policy and process are real people and life-changing outcomes

          • Key Industry Insights & Statistics

          • The U.S. is currently short more than 7 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income households, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes)
          • There are only 35 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renters (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes)
          • More than 11 million U.S. households are considered severely cost-burdened, spending over 50% of their income on housing (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes)
          • 74% of extremely low-income renters are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half their income on housing (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2026-shortage-affordable-homes)
          • These renters make up a significant portion of the population and are often working in low-wage jobs, seniors, or individuals with disabilities (https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/affordable-housing-shortage-national-low-income-housing-coalition)
          • Property management faces elevated turnover, with industry data from the National Apartment Association (NAA) and National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) showing rates typically in the 30–35% range annually, significantly higher than many other sectors. (https://butterflymx.com/blog/multifamily-employee-turnover-rate)
          • Workforce development and retention remain critical challenges in property management, with industry research highlighting staffing and recruitment as a primary concern and emphasizing the need for ongoing training and skill development to support a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. (https://knowledge.highmatch.com/hubfs/HM-Hiring-Challenges-in-Property-Management.pdf)
            • 14 min
          • Fair Housing with Christine, Vickie and Mary
            1. Mayor Adams Announces Largest Civil Rights Settlement in City History, Protecting New Yorkers from Housing Discrimination | NYC.gov | Aug. 22, 2024
            2. Violence Against Women Act | HUD
            3. Certified Professional of Occupancy (CPO) | SAHMA
            4. Fair Housing Compliance Certification (FHC) | SAHMA
            5. Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) | HUD
            6. Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHA) | HUD
            7. HUD Rescinds Disparate Impact Regulations | Nixon Peabody | Jan. 21, 2026
            8. HUD Announces Key Fair Housing Updates | National Apartment Association
            9. Fair Housing Institute
            10. Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act | HUD
            11. Mrs. Murphy Exemption: Exemptions to the Fair Housing Act | Housing Equality Center
              12. 50 min
            12. Brian Harris' Story
              In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, we sit down with Brian Harris, President and CEO of Wesley Living, for a powerful conversation that bridges personal experience and professional leadership.
              With more than 30 years in affordable housing, Brian shares his journey across public housing, project-based rental assistance, LIHTC, and HOME programs, serving seniors, families, individuals with special needs, and those facing chronic mental illness.
              But what makes this conversation especially meaningful is Brian’s story. Having grown up in affordable housing himself, he brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and service.
              We explore the impact of mentorship, the importance of supporting independence for senior residents, and how affordable housing can shape lives across generations. Brian also shares his thoughts on breaking stigma, the universal need for housing, and why preserving affordable housing in this country is more critical than ever.
              About Our Guest
              Brian Harris is the President and CEO of Wesley Living, based in Cordova, Tennessee. With over three decades of experience in affordable housing, his work spans public housing, LIHTC, HOME, and project-based rental assistance programs.
              Brian has led significant growth in housing agencies, expanding funding sources, increasing organizational footprint, and serving as a trusted advisor to both housing authorities and HUD field offices. His leadership is deeply influenced by his own lived experience growing up in affordable housing.
              20 min
            13. Burnout with Dana & Jamie

              Correction: Dana Patterson is referred to as the CEO of Alco Management. She is actually the COO. 

              Show Notes / Links

              Sensory Stickers

              Tennessee SAHMA | May 20-21 | Nashville | Link

              Research & Data Referenced in This Episode

              Managers experience higher stress and burnout than non-managers

              Gallup research shows managers report higher levels of stress and burnout than the employees they supervise.

              83% of U.S. workers report work-related stress

              The American Institute of Stress estimates that 83% of U.S. workers experience work-related stress, highlighting the widespread nature of workplace pressure.

              Burned-out employees are 2.6× more likely to seek another job

              Gallup research found that employees who frequently experience burnout are 2.6 times more likely to be actively seeking a new job.

              Employee disengagement costs hundreds of billions globally

              Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report estimates that declining employee engagement costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually in lost productivity.

              50 min
            14. Leiona Newell's Story

              References

              • 51% of extremely low-income renter householders are seniors or people with disabilities.
              • 40% are in the labor force, in school, or are single-adult caregivers (including caregivers of children or family members with disabilities).
              • Of extremely low-income renters in the labor force, 42% usually work full-time (40+ hours/week).
                • from the National Low Income Housing Coalition Website
                  • 19 min
                • Forecasting with Breana & Sonja
                  In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, where policy, people, and property management meet, we’re looking ahead to what 2026 may bring for the affordable housing industry. We’re joined by Sonja Horn, President of Dash Compliance, and Breana Thomas, Director of Policy, Procedures, and Training at Fairstead, for a candid and practical forecasting conversation.
                  Together, we discuss what feels fundamentally different about this moment in the industry, the ongoing evolution of HOTMA, insurance pressures, staffing and recruitment challenges, and the growing role of technology and AI. We also touch on Southeast-specific considerations and close on a hopeful note - what’s working, what’s improving, and what we hope to look back on as progress by 2027.
                  42 min
                • Dennis McWilliams' Story

                  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA).

                  24 min

                About The SAHMA Exchange

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