Beyond the Resume Podcast with Jeffrey Jaeger (The Affordable Housing Philosophy That Works)

In this episode, Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker sit down with Jeffrey Jaeger, co-founder of Standard Communities, to trace his journey from a philosophy major at Berkeley to building one of the most innovative affordable housing platforms in the U.S.

Jaeger discusses the importance of urgency, detail, and kindness in real estate, the influence of his upbringing, and how failing upward shaped his values. He also shares how Standard Communities scaled to over 30,000 units, how private capital can be mobilized for public good, and why mentorship and grit matter more than credentials.

This candid, wide-ranging conversation covers workforce housing, LIHTC strategy, student outreach, philanthropic leadership, and the deep emotional roots behind his work.

Julio LaraJune 16, 2025affordable housing, Jeffrey Jaeger, Standard Communities, real estate career, low income housing tax credit, workforce housing, public-private partnerships, real estate investing, housing equity, real estate development