What happens when you combine affordable housing leadership, HOTMA jokes, SAHMA stories, and Cookie Monster? You get one of the most entertaining episodes of The SAHMA Exchange yet. Recorded live at the SAHMA Leadership Conference, this episode features Tony Jones, Vice President of Operations at Community Management Corporation and longtime SAHMA leader. Tony shares how he unexpectedly entered affordable housing back in 1993 and why, more than 30 years later, he’s still passionate about the industry and the people it serves. The conversation dives into: • How affordable housing operations have changed over the decades • Government expansion and increasing compliance pressures • Staying educated in a constantly evolving industry • HOTMA, networking, and industry leadership • Why SAHMA has played such an important role in his career • The importance of making residents feel truly at home • Changing public perception around affordable housing And yes… there’s also a HOTMA song, a raffle interruption mid-interview, and the heartfelt story behind Tony’s “Cookie Monster” nickname. This episode is equal parts insightful, funny, and deeply human.
Guest:
Tony Jones, Vice President of Operations, Community Management Corporation
Recorded live at the 2025 SAHMA Leadership Conference.
In this episode:
• Tony’s unexpected start in affordable housing in 1993
• What a VP of Operations role really looks like day to day
• How affordable housing has evolved over the last 30 years
• The growing complexity of regulations and compliance
• How leaders stay informed in a constantly changing industry
• HOTMA conversations and affordable housing humor
• The story behind Tony’s “Cookie Monster” nickname
• Why SAHMA leadership has meant so much to him
• Supporting residents through reasonable accommodations and community-building
• Improving public perception around affordable housing
Memorable moments:
• Tony sprinting out of the interview after thinking he won a raffle prize
• The “Weird Al of Affordable Housing” HOTMA song
• Cookie Monster’s special appearance
About The SAHMA Exchange:
The SAHMA Exchange is a podcast where policy, people, and property management meet — featuring conversations with affordable housing leaders across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.