Kirin Goff and Jake Hinman discuss the Arizona Neighborhood Project's efforts to advocate for pro-housing policies in a deep purple state with a divided government. They share stories of big wins and hard-fought challenges — including from opponents to their bills among local administrators and other officials. They emphasize the importance of removing policy barriers to give residents the freedom and ability to build their communities.

In this episode, Felicity Maxwell, an advocate, planning commissioner, and community leader in Austin, talks about the city's efforts to transform its housing and transit policies. Felicity discusses her journey from Brooklyn to Austin, highlighting the challenges of affordable housing and the need for density and transit. She details how advocates achieved their recent policy wins in Austin, including eliminating parking minimums and expanding middle housing options through the HOME initiatives, and how they are responding to the city's long history of racial and class exclusion. Plus, she offers a glimpse of what's next for the Texas capital.

Dan Reed, the first guest on "The Stoop," discusses their journey into housing advocacy, beginning with their childhood experiences with housing insecurity and through their recent, successful housing policy campaigns. As the regional policy director for Greater Greater Washington, they focus on housing and land use policy in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Their insights into relationship building, strategy, and leveraging networks can benefit all of us.

Cutter González (they/them) introduces "The Stoop" podcast, a project of the Welcoming Neighbors Network. On the show, you'll hear the stories of activists, policymakers, and thought leaders working to create abundant and affordable housing through policy campaigns across the U.S. Each episode will feature hour-long interviews, blending policy and advocacy discussions with personal stories.