BuzzHouse: A Baker Tilly Podcast

Hosted by Baker Tilly

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Episodes

128

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

BuzzHouse is a podcast series specifically for professionals in the multifamily housing industry. Each episode features current issues, hot topics and guests from the industry to help you win now and anticipate tomorrow.

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60 recent

July 16, 202639 min

The tax-exempt bond market in 2026

In this episode of BuzzHouse, Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson welcome back Wade Norris, partner at Dinsmore, for an update on the tax-exempt bond market in 2026. Wade breaks down how interest rates and investor demand are affecting affordable housing finance, the industry's transition from the 50% test to the 25% test, and the resulting impact on tax credit equity and project financing. He also shares insights on recycled bonds, cash-back bond structures, and emerging opportunities involving 501(c)(3) bonds, essential function bonds, and rated housing authority transactions. Tune in for a practical look at the financing tools and market trends shaping affordable housing development today. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 18, 202628 min

What's shaping housing development today

The BuzzHouse team introduces a new segment, Housing Happenings, with Baker Tilly’s Larissa Fogarty sharing the latest developments in affordable housing policy. She breaks down the Road to Housing Act, updates to the RAD program and HUD’s decision to wind down the Restore and Rebuild initiative, explaining what these changes could mean for public housing authorities and future housing development efforts. Building on those industry trends, Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson sit down with Mark Carlson, vice president of Carlson Construction, to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping construction projects today. Mark shares his perspective on labor shortages, regional pricing trends, value engineering and the importance of early planning and collaboration. From policy updates to construction realities, this episode connects the issues shaping affordable housing and multifamily development today. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 30, 202611 min

2026 Housing Policy & HUD Updates

In this episode of BuzzHouse , Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson break down the most important legislation, policy updates and research shaping the affordable housing industry in early 2026. They walk through HUD updates, including 2026 OCAF adjustments and new funding timelines for RAD for PRAC conversions, highlighting what owners and developers need to act on now. They also dig into new research on resident services, financial outcomes and property performance, along with insights from Harvard’s latest rental housing report showing rising cost burdens and slowing development. The episode wraps with a look at emerging QAP trends across states, including deeper income targeting, preservation priorities, sustainability requirements and tighter underwriting standards developers should be tracking closely. Tune in to hear what these updates mean and how they could shape your next move in affordable housing. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February 17, 202613 min

How EB-5 capital fits into multifamily housing

Developing housing is already a complex equation, and tapping EB-5 capital adds a whole other layer of strategy. In this episode of BuzzHouse, Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson are joined by their Baker Tilly colleagues @Warren Oakes and @Jillian O’Brien, two professionals with deep experience in EB-5 project structuring, compliance and advisory services. The team explains what EB-5 is, how it applies to multifamily housing, the steps developers need to take if they’re considering this type of capital and how to evaluate if EB-5 is a good fit for your housing project. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

January 27, 202616 min

2025 highlights and what’s ahead for 2026

In this special year-end episode of BuzzHouse , Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson reflect on the most memorable conversations of 2025 and look ahead at what’s on the horizon in 2026. From innovative financing tools to workforce development and public housing repositioning, Don and Garrick revisit the guests and insights that shaped the year. They also explore what’s happening legislatively, from HUD updates to new proposals like the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act and the BOOM Act and how these policies could impact housing outcomes in the year ahead. Tune in for practical takeaways, thoughtful reflections and an insider’s look at what to watch in the multifamily housing space this year. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

January 13, 202620 min

What 2026 could mean for housing policy

In this episode of BuzzHouse , Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson are joined by Stockton Williams, executive director of the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA). The group discusses key housing legislation such as Road to Housing Act, the evolution of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and how HFAs are pushing forward with new programs to meet middle-income and single-family housing needs. Listen in for more insights on what is working and what is next for affordable housing across the country. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

November 18, 202517 min

How LIHTC equity pricing is shifting

In this episode of BuzzHouse, Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson sit down with Philip Porter, senior vice president and head of acquisitions at Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, to make sense of the shifting landscape in low-income housing tax credit equity. Philip breaks down what developers should know about lower credit pricing, the impact of recent legislation like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and what’s really driving changes in investor behavior. From construction timelines to CRA cycles, they unpack how demand, policy and capacity are colliding in today’s LIHTC market. If you’ve been wondering what all this means for pricing, underwriting and syndication strategy, this episode covers it all. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 21, 202522 min

Smarter water use in affordable housing

In this episode of BuzzHouse, Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson talk with Orlando Valdes, vice president of business development at Ion Water, about how invisible water waste is draining operating budgets in affordable housing and what developers, investors and property managers can do about it. From catching invisible leaks to delivering underwriting support, Orlando explains how water data is becoming an operational tool for real savings, smarter investing and long-term asset preservation. Learn more about water performance and the impact on affordable housing investment and lending. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 16, 202510 min

Transforming housing education with HAI Group

In this episode of BuzzHouse, hosts Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson sit down with Kristina Tatroe, director of online training at HAI Group, to explore how innovative education is reshaping the affordable housing industry. From bite-sized “infotainment” modules and gamification to VR-driven compliance training, Kristina shares how HAI equips housing professionals to navigate regulatory changes, strengthen teams and drive impact in their communities. Access the Fundamentals of the LIHTC Program course here ! Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 19, 202519 min

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act affects affordable housing

Amid budget negotiations, shifting tax credit allocations and evolving funding programs, LIHTC developers are facing a dramatically changing landscape. The recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” is already reshaping how housing projects will be financed, structured, and planned in 2026 and beyond. In this episode of BuzzHouse , Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson walk through the biggest updates that matter most to affordable housing professionals. Listen now to stay ahead of what's changing and how it affects your pipeline. Follow Us Twitter @BakerTillyUS Facebook @BakerTillyUS Instagram @bakertillyus Presented by Baker Tilly www.bakertilly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.