In this episode of Changemakers, Katie Goar sits down with Joaquín Cintrón Vega, CEO of the Denver Housing Authority, to explore his transformative vision for affordable housing. Born in Puerto Rico and shaped by early experiences of community resilience, Joaquín shares how his 24-year career centers on housing as a foundation for human dignity and economic mobility—not mere transactions. He details Denver’s innovative strategies to tackle its affordability crisis, including the groundbreaking Sun Valley Redevelopment (a half-billion-dollar neighborhood transformation preserving resident voices), the nationally recognized Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program (awarded NAHRO’s Excellence Award for creative housing solutions), and pioneering financing models like bond recycling and impact investing. Joaquín also reveals how Denver empowers residents as “co-creators” through initiatives like the “Wall of Fame” celebration and community-responsive planning, ensuring housing becomes a platform for opportunity. For leaders in social impact, this episode offers actionable insights on shifting from compliance to transformation and building catalytic public-private partnerships—all fueled by Joaquín’s conviction that “our superpower is connecting to build with communities, not for them.”