10/01/2025
Yesterday, RGA’s founder, Raad Ghantous, joined an incredible panel at the Orange County Multifamily Annual Conference, hosted by Bisnow, to discuss one of the most urgent issues facing the region: delivering affordable housing in OC.
Alongside leaders Rochelle Mills (Innovative Housing Opportunities), Michael Ruane (National Community Renaissance), and moderated by Stephen Lee (Citrin Cooperman), Raad unpacked the challenges of funding, feasibility, regulation, and community acceptance.
Raad shared insights rooted in RGA’s philosophy that design is more than aesthetics — it’s the bridge between policy, financing, and community trust, highlighting:
• How placemaking and human-centered design can transform NIMBY resistance into community pride.
• How wellness-driven, universal design ensures affordable housing is aspirational, sustainable, and dignified.
• The importance of embedding community identity and dignity at the center of housing projects for long-term success.
The discussion underscored that the future of Orange County housing depends not just on unit counts, but on creating communities people are proud to call home.
RGA is proud to continue driving this dialogue and exploring how thoughtful design and placemaking can transform the affordable housing conversation.