After over eight years at the helm, today Jair Lynch is transitioning from his role as President of LOCUS, Smart Growth America’s coalition of triple-bottom-line real estate developers and investors. Jair’s leadership has been pivotal in championing the mission of creating equitable, walkable communities across America. Under his guidance, LOCUS has seen a renewed commitment to inclusive development, marked by fresh perspectives and collaborative initiatives that prioritize the well-being of residents and the environment. As we thank Jair for his profound impact on LOCUS and the landscape of sustainable real estate development, we wanted to share his reflections on his tenure.
As he passes the torch, Jair leaves behind a legacy of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to shaping a future where every community can thrive.
1. Thank you so much for your leadership during your tenure at LOCUS. During your time at the helm, what achievements or milestones are you most proud of? Reflecting on my tenure as President of LOCUS, I am proud of the renewed energy that new leaders brought to the steering committee and membership base. This infusion of fresh ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds marked a shift toward rallying around a cohesive, shared vision of equitable development.
2. Given your leading work in public-private partnerships and mixed-income development, how do you navigate the intersection of development and the mission of creating equitable and sustainable communities? In my view, it boils down to grasping the intersectionality of people and places. We cannot forge vibrant, equitable, and sustainable environments without a deep understanding of and strong relationship with the people and communities we serve. My approach is rooted in deeply engaging with communities to ensure inclusivity, establishing robust public-private partnerships, leveraging data and innovation for smarter development, and advocating for policy changes that support our collective goals.
3. What is the value proposition of LOCUS? From my perspective, LOCUS’s value proposition lies in the essential role that practitioners play in advocating for robust and effective policies. It’s imperative that we actively participate in the policy-making process, rather than (i) remaining passive within other professional organizations that don’t advocate or (ii) delegating the responsibility to our service providers and their respective professional bodies.
4. How has LOCUS helped you professionally in your own practice? Being a member of LOCUS has underscored the importance of consistent and persistent engagement. It’s nearly impossible to predict when the opportunity for significant change may present itself, but it’s essential to have established strong relationships. These connections position you as the first contact and a trusted advisor on complex issues.
5. Tell us your thoughts on how LOCUS is important to the smart growth movement. A coalition like LOCUS plays a crucial role in the smart growth movement because it provides a unique platform for advocacy. Practitioners often lack voice and action through other industry organizations, making LOCUS essential for representing and pushing forward the interests of those committed to smart, sustainable development.
6. Is there a single real estate project you have worked on that comes to mind as reflective of the goals of LOCUS? Our work in reimagining Barcroft Apartments, a 60-acre naturally occurring affordable housing community in Arlington, Virginia, brings together both our market-rate and affordable housing expertise in an effort to create sustainable outcomes. By leveraging Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) for the preservation of affordability for over 1,300 homes, alongside traditional debt and institutional equity for an additional 2.5 million square feet of mixed-use development, we’ve crafted a comprehensive approach to sustainable development that will provide housing stability and opportunities for prosperity for a significant part of the Arlington community. This strategy not only promotes equitable outcomes but also closely aligns with LOCUS’s mission of fostering inclusive and sustainable communities.
7. Looking to the future, what specific initiatives or pieces of legislation do you hope LOCUS will prioritize to continue its impact and influence in promoting sustainable and walkable development? Looking ahead, I hope LOCUS will focus on initiatives and legislation that enhance the efficiency and impact of sustainable and walkable environments. A key priority should be the more efficient execution of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. This includes addressing and eliminating the “bond burning” issue by advocating for a move from the 50 percent test to the 30 percent test, which would greatly improve the program’s effectiveness.
Additionally, a significant challenge and opportunity lies in making housing tax credits, both for low-income and middle-income brackets, portable in a manner similar to historic tax credits. By shifting these credits from the ownership stack to the capital stack, we can make these programs more attractive to institutional investors. This shift would not only facilitate dramatic growth in the programs but also ensure a broader and more impactful engagement of institutional capital in promoting sustainable environments. These strategic focuses could significantly amplify LOCUS’s influence in shaping a future where walkable and sustainable communities are the norm.
8. Do you have any advice for the next President of LOCUS that will help them to continue to push the coalition forward? Be patient but persistent. The journey towards meaningful change is not a straight line and requires steadfast commitment. With persistence and patience, overcoming obstacles and achieving goals becomes possible.
LOCUS, Latin for “place,” is a national coalition of real estate developers and investors who advocate for sustainable, equitable, walkable development in America’s metropolitan areas.