Why is housing getting more expensive—and why is it so difficult to build more of it?

In this episode of the Relentless Growth Podcast, Jack Maher and Chase Calhoun dive into the real-world challenges developers and builders face when trying to create new housing, redevelop underused property, and bring growth to local communities.

Chase shares the story behind an 86-unit build-to-rent development that spent nearly two years facing roadblocks, neighborhood opposition, zoning challenges, and the realities of the entitlement process. Jack and Chase explore the tension between the demand for affordable housing and the growing NIMBY (“Not In My Backyard”) movement that often fights new development at the local level.

They discuss why increasing housing supply can help improve affordability, how vocal minorities can influence planning commissions and city councils, and why developers sometimes need to change projects as market conditions evolve.

Jack and Chase also break down the importance of property rights, responsible development, local government decision-making, and why residents who support growth need to participate in planning commission and city council meetings—not just those who oppose it.

In this episode:

• Why more housing supply matters for housing affordability
• The realities of zoning, rezoning, and the entitlement process
• How NIMBYism can delay or stop housing development
• Chase’s experience developing an 86-unit build-to-rent community
• Why rental demand can change a developer’s original strategy
• Property rights vs. neighborhood opposition
• The influence of vocal minorities on local government
• Why development plans sometimes have to change
• The risks builders and real estate developers take
• How residents can support positive growth in their communities

Whether you’re a real estate developer, home builder, investor, local official, entrepreneur, or community member, this episode offers an inside look at the challenges behind housing development—and why creating more housing is often much harder than it looks.

Relentless Growth Podcast explores entrepreneurship, real estate, construction, leadership, business growth, and the lessons learned from building companies and communities in the real world.