Housing Matters Podcast

What if the solution to America’s housing crisis could be built in your backyard?
In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Brian English, founder and CEO of Origin Studio, to explore how modular accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are reshaping affordability, multigenerational living, and community development.
Brian brings a global perspective—from leading post-disaster housing recovery in the Caribbean to urban slum upgrading in India—with lessons now applied to high-design, factory-built ADUs in the U.S. Through Origin Studio, he’s proving that small, scalable solutions can make a big impact.
We dive into:
Why ADUs are uniquely positioned to address affordability, aging in place, and intergenerational living
How off-site construction and modular design create faster, more predictable housing solutions
The permitting, financing, and workforce barriers that must be solved for ADUs to scale nationally
Origin Studio’s commitment to dignity, sustainability, and design—without sacrificing attainability
What public-private partnerships and pre-approved ADU catalogs could mean for the future of housing supply
If you’ve ever wondered whether ADUs are just a trend—or a real pathway to solving housing shortages—this conversation will give you answers.
🔗 Learn more about Origin Studio: originstudio.design📺 Watch on YouTube + subscribe for full video episodes🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Gaius and Clayton Hennin of Maine’s renowned Shelter Institute—a family-run business that’s been teaching people to design and build their own homes since 1974.
We explore how Shelter’s blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern building science is reshaping what it means to be a builder in today’s world. From hands-on timber framing to prefab kit homes, this conversation covers:
– The Shelter legacy and their 3-generation philosophy– How building science education empowers everyday people– The launch of their new timber frame kit home line– Why durability, sustainability, and adaptability matter more than ever– And how they’re making homebuilding more accessible without compromising quality
Whether you’re a real estate professional, a housing advocate, a DIY enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in smarter building solutions—this episode will inspire and inform.
🎧 Subscribe and listen now!
#HousingMatters #ShelterInstitute #TimberFrame #Homebuilding #DIY #PrefabHomes #ConstructionInnovation #AffordableHousing #MaineBuilders

Monte Anderson: Start Local, Stay Committed, Build What’s Missing
In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot is joined by Monte Anderson—President of Options Real Estate Investments, Inc. and co-founder of Neighborhood Evolution. Monte has spent decades revitalizing Southern Dallas through sustainable, small-scale development that puts community first.
Monte shares how he went from racing motorcycles to becoming one of the most impactful townmakers in the country. From restoring forgotten buildings to creating ownership opportunities for local entrepreneurs, his approach to “incremental development” offers a blueprint for any community looking to build from the inside out.
🎯 In this episode:
The 12 Steps of Townmaking
Why your city doesn’t need a mega-developer
How to structure creative deals with community impact
Why “no one is coming to save you”—and why that’s good news
If you care about housing, community, or doing development differently, don’t miss this one.
🎧 More from Monte:🔗 Options Real Estate: https://optionsre.com🔗 Neighborhood Evolution: https://neighboodevo.org

What if the future of housing isn’t just about building more homes—but building them smarter, faster, and more affordably?
In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot sits down with Dennis Steigerwalt, President of the Housing Innovation Alliance, to explore how real change is happening across the housing industry. From modular construction and micro-factories to smart lending and policy reform, Dennis shares powerful insights on what it takes to move beyond buzzwords and into real-world impact.
You’ll hear about:
The Picket Fence concept home and why it matters
Why the U.S. lags in offsite construction—and how to fix it
How data, policy, and capital must align for change
What’s next for innovation in places like Maine
This is a conversation for builders, policymakers, investors, and anyone who believes housing should work better for everyone.
🔗 Learn more: housinginnovationalliance.com🎧 Subscribe for more episodes from Housing Matters

In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot sits down with Jason Levesque—former Mayor of Auburn, Army veteran, entrepreneur, and now a real estate developer leading one of the largest market-rate housing projects in Central Maine.
Jason shares his journey from founding Argo Marketing to transforming Lewiston’s downtown through Aegean Development. They talk candidly about zoning reform, planning board dysfunction, local vs. state control, and why Maine desperately needs more people—and more places for them to live.
From military leadership lessons to strategies for revitalizing Maine's urban cores, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and real-world perspective on what it’s going to take to solve the housing crisis.
🎙️ Topics covered:
The myth of local control
How Auburn streamlined development
Planning boards as barriers
The need for market-rate housing
What Lewiston is getting right
Lessons from Montana, Europe, and beyond
Whether you’re a policymaker, builder, investor, or just someone trying to make sense of the housing conversation—this episode is for you.

In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot is joined by Dottie Chalmers Cutter, Chief Operating Officer of Chalmers Insurance Group and a fourth-generation leader of one of Maine’s most respected family-owned businesses.
Dottie shares her expert insight on the evolving landscape of home insurance—why premiums are rising, how national disasters affect local rates, and what homeowners really need to understand about their policies. From avoiding costly escrow mistakes to knowing what’s actually covered in a flood, this episode is packed with must-know information for buyers, sellers, and property owners alike.
But this conversation goes beyond insurance. Dottie also dives into her leadership philosophy, her passion for coaching over managing, and how she’s transformed the culture at Chalmers through recognition, mentorship, and handwritten notes that make a lasting impact.
Whether you're a homeowner, real estate professional, or just love a good Maine success story, this episode is full of wisdom, humor, and practical advice.
 
🎧 Learn more about Chalmers Insurance Group: https://www.chalmersinsurancegroup.com
📩 Contact Dottie: dcutler@chalmersinsurancegroup.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram @housingmatterspod

Building Homes Like Cars: Why Modular Just Makes SenseGuest: Thatcher Butcher, President of KBS Builders
In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Thatcher Butcher, a seasoned construction industry leader and President of KBS Builders, to explore the transformative potential of modular housing in Maine and beyond.
Together, they dig into:
Why Maine’s aging population and shrinking trades workforce demand new building solutions
The stigma around factory-built homes—and how modern modular turns that on its head
What it really takes to build a high-quality home in a controlled environment
How offsite construction shortens timelines, reduces waste, and improves work-life balance for tradespeople
The regulatory and licensing hurdles holding modular back
What real estate professionals, developers, and policymakers need to understand to make change happen
Whether you're a builder, developer, policymaker, or just someone curious about the future of housing, this conversation will challenge how you think about what it means to “build a home.”
🎙 Housing Matters is a podcast about real estate, housing policy, and building better communities in Maine. Hosted by Matt Pouliot of Pouliot Real Estate.

Building Community Through Development with Kevin Bunker | Housing Matters
In this episode of Housing Matters, we sit down with Kevin Bunker, founding principal of Developers Collaborative, for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to create housing in Maine—and why it matters. From lobster boats to Harvard, from urban planning to real estate finance, Kevin shares his unconventional journey into development and how he’s used his skills to tackle Maine’s housing challenges head-on.
We explore:
How Kevin transitioned from lobsterman to developer
What “smart growth” really means and why it matters now more than ever
The nuts and bolts of building affordable and workforce housing
Freedom Place and other community-driven projects
How private capital and public good can align
The growing role of employers like Bath Iron Works in housing solutions
Why housing is a societal issue—and how developers can be part of the solution
Whether you’re curious about development, passionate about solving the housing crisis, or just want to hear from someone who’s walking the walk in Maine, this episode delivers insight, candor, and even a little baseball talk.
 
🔗 Learn more about Developers Collaborative: https://developerscollaborative.com📲 Follow DC on social media: @developerscollaborative🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on housing, policy, and development in Maine.

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

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?