America’s housing authorities face growing demand, limited funding, complex regulations, and years-long waiting lists. How can affordable housing leaders continue serving their communities while navigating those pressures?

In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, Katie speaks with Crystal Wojciechowski, executive director of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association, commonly known as PHADA.Crystal shares how a temporary position at the King County Housing Authority introduced her to the real-world impact of affordable housing. She explains how watching families receive safe and stable homes inspired a career that has now spanned more than 20 years.

Katie and Crystal discuss the changing affordable housing workforce, including the growing number of leaders entering housing from outside the industry. Crystal explains why new perspectives can strengthen housing authorities when paired with experienced professionals who understand regulations, inspections, recertifications, and resident services.

The conversation also explores PHADA’s Executive Director Education Program, its partnership with Rutgers University, and the importance of building a trusted network of housing professionals who can help one another solve difficult problems.Crystal explains how PHADA works with Congress and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to translate federal policy into practical solutions. She also shares why housing authorities must tell their stories, build relationships with elected officials, and position themselves as the leading affordable housing experts in their communities.

This conversation offers practical guidance for housing authority executive directors, commissioners, policymakers, developers, and anyone working to improve affordable housing across the United States.

Learn more about PHADA at PHADA.org.Learn more about Katie Goar and Quadel at Quadel.com.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
01:12 Crystal’s unexpected start in affordable housing
02:35 Seeing the human impact of housing assistance
05:02 How the affordable housing workforce is changing
07:05 Bringing outside perspectives into housing leadership
08:46 PHADA’s Executive Director Education Program
10:00 Building a trusted network of housing experts
13:35 PHADA’s policy and advocacy work
15:29 Turning federal regulations into practical solutions
16:50 Why housing authorities must tell their stories
18:22 Translating complex federal rules for local agencies
21:13 How PHADA learns from housing authority members
22:45 When regulations create more work
25:20 Three ways housing leaders can begin advocating
27:39 Building long-term relationships with elected officials
30:02 Why housing commissioners need specialized training
32:03 The difference between governance and operations
35:50 Supporting women in affordable housing leadership
38:27 Finding new ways to fund affordable housing
40:27 Building stronger industry coalitions
41:39 The case for Moving to Work flexibility
44:09 Maximum funding and maximum flexibility
45:41 How to connect with PHADA
47:51 Final thoughts