The Rent Roll with Jay Parsons

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is turning 40 years old this month, and despite financing 4 million units of affordable housing — creating far more low-income housing than any other program — LIHTC is taking heat from all sides these days. You've probably heard many of the criticisms: "It's a developer giveaway and a financial boondoggle! It's not truly affordable to low-income households! LIHTC rents are comparable to market-rate rents and therefore the subsidies aren't needed!" So, what's the truth? What's the data tell us? Rental housing economist Jay Parsons rolls back the tape on how and why LIHTC was created back in October 1986, explains (at a very high level) LIHTC's unique public/private partnership model, and addresses the growing chorus of criticisms. In particular, Jay makes the point that LIHTC is working as intended, primarily housing very low-income households earning at or below 30% of the area median income. Jay also discusses why it's fair to criticize and reform many of LIHTC's administrative processes (which are often anything but efficient) while still acknowledging the program's remarkable outcomes in creating affordable housing. Later in the program, Jay welcomes in the leading guru of all things LIHTC: Michael Novogradac, who has been involved with LIHTC tax policy since Day 1 back in 1986 and continues to be a guiding voice in D.C. and across the country. Mike shares his take on how LIHTC is working relative to its original goals 40 years ago, and addresses the range of criticisms targeting the program. Mike shares data and insights that can be helpful for pro-housing voices hoping to respond to LIHTC critics with thoughtful, data-backed commentary. Also in this episode: Jay breaks down the latest headlines impacting apartments and SFR, including rising multifamily delinquency rates at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And Jay also shares his hot take on why there's no such thing as "Class B/C" apartments, and why it's increasingly important to separate B's from C's.

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons shares the data points and charts that investors should consider in evaluating the multifamily and single-family rental markets. What are the key trends in supply, demand, affordability, demographics and capital markets? And in this week's interview, BH Management CEO Joanna Zabriskie turns the tables, interviewing Jay at Pretium's investor conference, and that conversation is included in this episode of the podcast. Additionally, Jay breaks down the latest headlines, including The Wall Street Journal's article about rising distress and the looming wall of maturities facing the apartment sector. What is buzz versus reality?

Rental housing economist Jay Parsons breaks down the state of the single-family rental and build-to-rent markets. Is rent growth picking up as would-be homebuyers remain jilted by high mortgage rates? Not exactly. The SFR and BTR markets remain fairly soft, primarily in higher-supplied markets, showing the relationship with for-sale housing isn't quite as advertised. On the flip side, just like with apartments, lower-supplied markets (which are largely non-institutional) are seeing solid rent growth. Also, the CEO of the nation's largest SFR owner, Dallas Tanner of Invitation Homes, joins the podcast to share his thoughts on today's SFR market — particularly now with the ROAD to Housing Act finally in the rearview mirror. How will the new law impact Invitation and other institutional owners? Could we see more consolidation? And does institutional SFR have a PR problem? Additionally, in this week's "In the News" segment, Jay addresses headlines on San Francisco declaring a "rent emergency" and on the latest apartment REIT merger (IRT and Centerspace), as well as a new study on how long it takes to build housing across different cities.

It's budget season, that dreaded time of year when owners and operators attempt to predict the future --forecasting revenue and expenses for 2027. Rental housing economist Jay Parsons and special guest Lee Everett (head of research and strategy at Cortland, a top 10 apartment owner) seek to lend a helping hand. Jay and Lee talk about how revenue and expense trends could play out in the year ahead, and how those trends may differ by market and by asset class. What supply-heavy markets might surprise on the upside? Which could be laggards? Will rising consumer inflation end up impacting operating expenses, reversing two years of steadier expense trends? Additionally, Jay shares why you might expect better performance from Class A and B+ properties than from Class C, at least in the Sun Belt and Mountain states. Also in this week's episode, Jay makes the case for why rent concessions may not just "burn off" as many operators may want to see or expect to see in 2027, even as vacancy rates improve.

It's Episode 100 of The Rent Roll, and we're bringing back one of our most popular guests — James Ray of MetLife and CRE Analyst — to take on the big questions about the cycle ahead. How does distress compare to 2008? Why will NOI matter more than appreciation in the next cycle, and how do investors plan accordingly? How does increased regulatory risk impact allocations toward multifamily, single-family rentals and build-to-rent? When will institutions rebalance toward equity strategies after several years focused on private credit? What impact is AI having? And much more. Additionally, in this week's version of "The Complaints Department" segment, Jay addresses the most common complaint he hears. Jay also brings back other recurring segments like Rental Housing Trivia, In the News, Here's a Chart and Good Question.