T
he UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs has announced a $2.5 million endowment for its new Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program, earmarked for affordable‑housing initiatives. The donation comes from Jeffrey Jaeger and Scott Alter, co‑founders of Standard Communities, a Los Angeles‑based firm that builds and preserves affordable and workforce housing across the country. In honor of the gift, the program will be called the UCLA Jaeger Alter Standard Communities (JASC) Affordable Housing Initiative, and students who complete it will receive a Certificate in Affordable Housing.

    Set to launch in fall 2025, the one‑year MRED is crafted in partnership with industry leaders. Participants will tackle real‑world challenges through case studies, site visits, and competitions, equipping them to confront housing, environmental, and equity issues. The JASC component will ensure graduates possess the expertise, networks, and vision needed to make lasting social impact in real‑estate practice.

    Greg Morrow, executive director of UCLA MRED, said the gift “allows us to develop new coursework that focuses on innovative methods for building affordable housing, leveraging emerging capital‑market solutions that can scale production beyond what traditional public subsidies can achieve.” He added that the program is “pioneering new ways to address the affordable‑housing crisis.”

    Standard Communities has earned a national reputation for delivering high‑impact housing solutions that expand access to safe, dignified, and affordable homes. By employing creative financial structures and public‑private partnerships, the firm preserves and develops communities that uplift residents, strengthen neighborhoods, and help tackle the country’s urgent affordability crisis.

    As part of UCLA MRED’s emphasis on industry collaboration, Jaeger and Alter will contribute guest lectures, mentorships, and internship opportunities to strengthen the talent pipeline dedicated to housing affordability. Alter noted, “We’ve seen how access to safe, stable, dignified, affordable housing can transform lives. This gift is an investment in the leaders who will emerge from UCLA MRED and carry that mission forward—building stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.”

    Founded during the 2008 housing crisis, Standard Communities’ mission is that affordable housing is central to thriving communities and a rewarding career path for young professionals. Jaeger remarked, “The affordable‑housing industry is powerful because it allows us to profoundly impact communities and the world while offering meaningful, financially rewarding careers. By supporting the program, we hope to expand the pipeline of talented professionals who will bring fresh ideas, energy, and commitment to this space, ultimately delivering sustainable, equitable housing solutions that transform lives.”

    The JASC program highlights UCLA MRED’s commitment to specialized skill sets through several certificate tracks, including sustainable development, property technology, asset management, and affordable housing. Interim dean Anastasia Loukaitou‑Sideris said, “Affordable housing is one of the most urgent needs in our region and beyond. This gift enables us to train a new generation of real‑estate leaders who can design, develop, and manage housing that is both affordable and sustainable. We are deeply grateful to Jeffrey Jaeger and Scott Alter for their foresight and generosity.”