Housing Matters Podcast

11. Maine Entrepreneur Builds Modular Homes From Recycled Plastic

In this episode of Housing Matters, we dive into the fascinating journey of Ben Davis, a Maine-based entrepreneur revolutionizing modular construction and sustainability. Ben is the founder of Edura Building Systems, co-founder of The OpBox, and Portland Container Company—pioneering companies reimagining how we build homes, communities, and infrastructure.
 
A former professional sailor turned visionary builder, Ben shares how his deep connection to the ocean sparked his mission to repurpose plastic waste into powerful, innovative building materials. Learn how his team is tackling the housing crisis with composite construction that’s lighter, stronger, and greener—offering solutions that can be deployed nationwide.
 
🎯 Topics We Cover:
- The origin of The OpBox and how it sparked instant retail and community pop-ups
- How Edura Building Systems turns recycled plastics into structural wall panels
- Why mobile, modular, and sustainable construction is key to affordable housing
- The future of housing innovation—from kit homes to off-grid living
- Working with partners like L.L.Bean, Clink, and the Shelter Institute to scale impact
 
If you’re curious about the intersection of sustainability, housing, and innovation—or just love a good origin story—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
 
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.theopbox.com
https://www.edura.build

10. Revitalizing Freeport: Housing, Business & Community with Tawni Whitney

In this episode of Housing Matters, we sit down with Tawni Whitney, a key figure in Freeport, Maine’s economic and community development. As the Executive Director of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Director of Business Development for Freeport Economic Development Corp., and Founder of Freeport Friends, Tawni is driving change to make Freeport a thriving place to live, work, and do business.
Join us as we discuss:✔️ The evolution of Freeport and its transition beyond retail✔️ The Downtown Revision Project and its impact on local businesses✔️ The housing crisis and the challenges of overcoming community resistance✔️ How grassroots movements like Freeport Friends are creating meaningful change✔️ The importance of community engagement in shaping local development
🎧 Tune in to hear Tawni’s insights on economic growth, housing advocacy, and the future of Freeport!
🔗 Learn More:
Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce: https://www.freeportmainechamber.com/
https://www.pouliotrealestate.com/blog/revitalizing-freeport-housing-business-and-community-with-tawni-whitney/
📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Share your thoughts with us—how is your community tackling housing and economic development?

9. The Evolution of Portland’s Housing Market with Ed Gardner

In the latest episode of Housing Matters, we sit down with Ed Gardner, owner and broker of Gardner Real Estate Group, one of Portland’s most respected real estate firms. With over 35 years of experience, Ed has been at the forefront of Maine’s housing market, navigating everything from single-family home sales to large-scale development projects.
 
Ed shares his incredible journey into real estate, starting from his first property purchase at just 17 years old to leading major developments, including a ten-story office building on Congress Street, affordable housing initiatives, and a 160-unit condominium project. We also discuss the biggest challenges facing housing development in Maine, from rising construction costs and labor shortages to regulatory hurdles and zoning changes.
 
Beyond real estate, Ed is a dedicated community leader. He co-founded the Equality Community Center and has played key roles in organizations like Greater Portland Landmarks and Friends of the Eastern Prom. His passion for historic preservation, affordable housing, and city planning makes for a compelling conversation about the future of Portland’s housing market.
 
Tune in for an insightful discussion on market trends, policy changes, and valuable advice for homebuyers, sellers, and investors navigating today’s evolving real estate landscape.
 
More at https://www.pouliotrealestate.com/media/housingmatters/

8. Building Better Communities: The Role of Smart Zoning

Welcome to Housing Matters! In this episode, we dive into the world of urban planning, zoning, and smart development with Vanessa Farr, Regional Manager of Planning & Design at Haley Ward. With over 25 years of experience, Vanessa is a leading expert in planning, urban design, sprawl retrofit, and zoning policy in Maine.  
 
Join host Matt Pouliot as they discuss:  
✔️ How zoning impacts housing affordability & development  
✔️ The importance of community-driven planning  
✔️ Challenges & solutions in Maine’s housing landscape  
✔️ Innovative approaches like form-based coding & modular construction  
✔️ The role of Build Maine in shaping the state’s future  
 
From making zoning codes more transparent to fostering mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods, Vanessa shares invaluable insights for developers, investors, and anyone passionate about the future of housing in Maine.  
 
🔔 **Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!** Got thoughts on the episode? Drop a comment below!

7. Creating Housing Opportunities: Max Ross on the Flip Side of Real Estate

Welcome to the seventh episode of Housing Matters, the podcast where real estate meets education and inspiration! Hosted by Matt Pouliot of Pouliot Real Estate, this episode dives into the world of real estate with special guest Max Ross, a dedicated real estate agent and father of six, with an incredible background in hospitality and home flipping.
 
In this episode, we explore Max's journey into real estate, his transition from the hospitality industry, and how he has navigated a dynamic market filled with challenges like fluctuating interest rates and limited housing inventory. Max shares invaluable insights on:
 
- The parallels between hospitality and real estate.
- How to craft winning offers in competitive markets.
- The benefits and challenges of flipping homes to create housing opportunities.
- Building wealth through real estate investments and empowering the next generation to think strategically about homeownership.
 
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, seasoned investor, or someone considering a career in real estate, this episode is packed with actionable advice, market perspectives, and a whole lot of passion for helping others find their dream homes.
 
Topics Discussed:
- Navigating a tight housing market.
- Building trust with clients and personalized approaches.
- Insights on real estate investing and flipping homes.
- The importance of transparency in buyer-seller relationships.
 
Tune in to learn, get inspired, and take your first steps toward homeownership or expanding your real estate journey!
 
📌 Hosted by: Matt Pouliot
🎙️ Guest: Max Ross, Realtor and Investor
 
View more at https://www.pouliotrealestate.com/media/housingmatters/
 
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode. For more insights or to connect with our team, visit Pouliot Real Estate. Let's make housing dreams come true! 🌟

6. Revolutionizing Housing: Insights from Industry Leader George Casey

Welcome to another episode of Housing Matters, hosted by Matt Pouliot and brought to you by Pouliot Real Estate. In this thought-provoking interview, Matt sits down with George Casey, a seasoned leader in housing development and the President and CEO of Stockbridge Associates, based in Freeport, Maine. George brings a wealth of experience, from serving as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer to pioneering innovative approaches to housing development during his storied career, including his time at Toll Brothers. With a career spanning over 150,000 homes built across 20 states, George's insights are invaluable.
In this episode, George and Matt delve into the challenges and opportunities facing the housing industry today, discussing everything from offsite construction and productivity challenges to the societal and regulatory barriers that hinder affordable housing. They explore the intersection of innovation and practicality, touching on George’s belief in creating purpose-driven housing solutions and his vision for housing enterprise zones. The conversation also highlights George’s leadership journey, his reflections on workforce development, and his commitment to fostering better businesses in Maine through mentorship and lifelong learning.
Whether you're in real estate, development, or simply passionate about solving housing challenges, this episode offers invaluable perspectives. Don’t miss George’s practical solutions for the housing crisis and his inspiring take on how communities can grow stronger together.
Subscribe for more insightful conversations on Housing Matters!
https://www.pouliotrealestate.com/blog/revolutionizing-housing-insights-from-industry-leader-george-casey/

5. The Business of Housing: Portland Chamber CEO Quincy Hentzel on Growth and Policy

In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Quincy shares her journey from Chicago to Maine, her work in government affairs, and her role in advocating for Portland's business community. They dive into critical topics like the housing crisis, workforce development, and the challenges of balancing growth with maintaining vibrant, sustainable communities. Quincy discusses the chamber’s efforts to address housing shortages and the impact of local policies on development. Don't miss this insightful conversation on housing and business in Maine! More about Quincy: https://www.portlandregion.com/qbio.html More episodes: https://www.pouliotrealestate.com/media/housingmatters/

4. Innovative Solutions for Workforce Housing in Maine | Sarah Sturtevant

In this episode of the Housing Matters Podcast, hosted by Matt Pouliot, we are joined by Sarah Sturtevant, a Shaw Innovation Fellow and a graduate student in public policy analysis at the Muskie School of Public Service. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and insight into addressing Maine's growing affordable workforce housing crisis. With a background in business management and economic analysis, she works with various stakeholders, including employers, property owners, and government entities, to find innovative solutions to housing challenges in the state. During the episode, Sarah discusses her approach to leveraging new technologies, such as automated construction, and the potential of underutilized buildings near employment centers to create more affordable housing options. She also shares details about her involvement in a pilot project in Rumford, Maine, which aims to provide cost-effective housing solutions for the local workforce. Sarah and Matt dive deep into the complex factors driving up housing costs in Maine, including regulatory hurdles and the need for updated policies that better reflect current market realities. They explore the importance of balancing safety and environmental considerations with the urgent need to reduce the cost of housing development. Sarah's work, which includes in-depth case studies and her role in the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, sheds light on why housing has become so expensive and what can be done to make it more accessible for the majority of Maine’s residents. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the multifaceted challenges of affordable housing in Maine and the innovative approaches that could help solve them. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Sarah Sturtevant, a leading voice in the fight for affordable workforce housing in our state. More about the Housing Matters Podcast: https://www.pouliotrealestate.com/media/housingmatters/

3. Building a Better Future: Housing Policies in Maine with Ryan Fecteau

Join Matt Pouliot, host of the "Housing Matters" podcast and CEO of Pouliot Real Estate, in a compelling discussion with Ryan Fecteau, a Senior Officer of Policy and Planning at Avesta Housing. Ryan, with a distinguished career that includes serving as the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and working as a senior advisor for Governor Janet Mills, brings a wealth of knowledge on housing policy and creation in Maine. In this episode, Matt and Ryan explore: • Ryan's journey and achievements in the Maine Legislature, focusing on affordable housing tax incentives, zoning, and vocational education investments. • Avesta Housing's role as a leading affordable housing developer in Northern New England, including current projects and the challenges of navigating municipal approvals. • The complexities of addressing NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) and community reactions to affordable housing projects in various neighborhoods. • The significance of the Housing First model, which emphasizes stable housing as a foundation for addressing homelessness and providing essential support services. • Insights into zoning reforms, particularly the impact and implementation of L.D. 2003, which aimed to increase housing density and affordability. • The importance of engaging young people in trade careers to support the housing industry's workforce needs. • Innovative financing options and the potential of offsite construction and 3D printing to revolutionize housing production. This episode provides valuable perspectives on the future of housing in Maine and highlights the critical need for policy, community engagement, and innovative solutions to tackle the housing crisis. For more insightful discussions on housing policy and development, don't forget to subscribe to our channel and stay updated with our latest episodes.

2. Bridging the Gap: Workforce Housing and Community Growth with Paul Peck

Welcome to another engaging episode of Housing Matters, the podcast that dives deep into the world of housing and development in our state. I'm your host, Matt Pouliot of Pouliot Real Estate, and today, we have a special guest joining us: Paul Peck, a distinguished real estate developer, attorney, and key figure in Maine's housing community. In this episode, Paul shares his unique journey into real estate development, from his early days in Connecticut, influenced by his family's millwork company, to becoming a prominent developer in Maine. We explore Paul's multifaceted career, which includes his roles as a board member and chair of the Public Policy Committee with the Maine Real Estate Development Association (MEREDA), and as the vice president of the Western Maine Mountains Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to workforce housing. Paul discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing his legal practice with his passion for development, and the importance of housing initiatives to our communities. He provides insights into the intricacies of zoning laws, the impact of interest rates on construction, and the crucial need for affordable housing in our state. We also delve into Paul's various projects, from his first house in Falmouth to the successful Timbers project at Sugarloaf, and his involvement in assisted living facilities and apartment buildings in Portland. Paul candidly shares the hurdles faced in these developments, including opposition from local communities and the complexities of navigating zoning regulations. Join us as we unpack the critical issues surrounding housing development, the misconceptions about developers, and the future of affordable housing in Maine. Whether you're a budding developer, a seasoned professional, or simply interested in the housing market, this episode offers valuable insights and a compelling narrative about the state of housing today. Stay tuned for more episodes of Housing Matters, where we continue to explore the vital topic of housing and development with experts and leaders in the field. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! You can contact Paul Peck at Paul@lwsdevelopment.com and visit our website for additional resources and episodes: www.pouliotrealestate.com. Thank you for listening, and remember, housing matters!