ARA Talks Podcast Launch: Housing Affordability with Umansky & Haber

Lucía Torres · 2026-05-21

The American Real Estate Association (ARA) just dropped something worth your attention: ARA Talks. It's a new podcast co-hosted by ARA Co-Founder Jason Haber and The Agency's Mauricio Umansky. And it's not your typical real estate chatter. This show brings together policymakers and thought leaders to tackle the biggest headache for families right now: housing affordability. With home prices up nearly 50 percent over five years, rents outpacing incomes, and inventory stuck at historic lows, we need real conversations. Not fluff. ### The Debut Episode That Sets the Tone The first season kicks off with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. And it's a bold move. Pritzker recently unveiled the BUILD Plan (Building Up Illinois Developments), which is one of the most ambitious state-level housing reforms in the country. What's in the BUILD Plan? It proposes sweeping changes to zoning laws, permitting processes, and capital investment. The goal? Dramatically expand the supply of affordable and middle-income housing across Illinois. Haber said it best: "He sat down with us and walked through what it takes to move legislation like this, what the resistance looks like, and why he believes Illinois can be a model for the country." ### No Filter, No Spin Umansky described the podcast's vibe as "No filter. No spin. Just the real conversation." And that's exactly what we need. Housing isn't just a policy issue—it's personal. It's about where families live, how much they pay, and whether they can build a future. For Haber, starting with a governor who's actually doing something sets the stage. ARA Talks is designed to be a place where bold, comprehensive policy gets honest examination. Not just cheerleading. ### Why This Matters for Real Estate Pros If you're in the industry, you know the housing market is a mess. Prices are sky-high, inventory is tight, and buyers are frustrated. This podcast digs into the root causes and what's being done about it. Key takeaways from the debut: - Zoning reform is a big deal. It's one of the biggest barriers to building more housing. - Permitting delays add costs and slow everything down. - Capital investment needs to flow into affordable and middle-income projects. ### Where to Listen ARA Talks is available to stream on Spotify and YouTube. So you can listen while you're driving to a showing or catching up on emails. This isn't just another real estate podcast. It's a conversation about the future of housing in America. And if you care about affordability, inventory, or just understanding what's next, you'll want to tune in.