The SAHMA Exchange

Jeffrey Wirrick's Story

Episode Summary

After 35 years in affordable housing, Jeffrey Wirrick has seen plenty of change — but some of the industry’s biggest challenges remain surprisingly familiar. In this episode of The SAHMA Exchange, we sit down with Jeff, Chief Operating Officer of National Housing Compliance, to talk about his unexpected path from accounting into affordable housing, the role compliance plays in protecting properties for the long term, and why the country is still grappling with a housing crisis decades later. Jeff shares his perspective on increasing regulation, limited resources, the importance of implementation when new housing policy is passed, and one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: developing the next generation of affordable housing professionals. The conversation also explores what today’s workforce expects from employers, how affordable housing can compete for talent, and why salary alone may never tell the whole story. For Jeff, building a career in affordable housing also comes down to something much more personal — having a heart for serving others.

Episode Notes

The SAHMA Exchange: A Conversation with Jeffrey Wirrick

What keeps someone in affordable housing for 35 years?

For Jeffrey Wirrick, Chief Operating Officer of National Housing Compliance, it started with an unexpected first job out of college and grew into a career dedicated to affordable housing, compliance and service.

In this episode, Jeff joins The SAHMA Exchange to reflect on what he’s learned throughout his career and where he believes the industry needs to go next.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How an accounting major found his way into affordable housing — and never left
• Jeff’s path to National Housing Compliance and his work with the Performance-Based Contract Administration program
• Why compliance is about much more than checking boxes
• The role compliance plays in keeping affordable housing properties sustainable for decades
• Why the housing crisis persists after decades of attention
• The impact of regulation, limited resources and the increasing difficulty of developing affordable housing
• Why passing housing legislation is only the beginning — and implementation matters
• The challenge of recruiting the next generation of affordable housing professionals
• What younger employees are looking for from employers, including competitive pay, flexibility, workplace culture and a voice within their organizations
• How affordable housing organizations can compete for talent
• Why developing future leaders requires understanding generational differences
• The role purpose, service and a “heart for the work” continue to play in attracting and retaining people in affordable housing

About Our Guest

Jeffrey Wirrick is Chief Operating Officer of National Housing Compliance and has more than 35 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. He oversees NHC’s Asset Management Division and works across areas including management and occupancy reviews, contract renewals, physical inspections, compliance, quality assurance and risk management.

Before joining NHC, Jeff spent 11 years with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. He is also a longtime industry trainer and speaker, has participated in national housing work groups and steering committees, and serves on SAHMA’s Regulatory Committee.

The SAHMA Exchange is a podcast where policy, property management and people meet.