U
CLA’s Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) has secured a $2.5 million pledge from Standard Communities founders Jeffrey Jaeger and Scott Alter. The gift will create the UCLA Jaeger Alter Standard Communities (JASC) Affordable Housing Program, offering students a Certificate in Affordable Housing and new courses that explore innovative financing and design solutions.
The one‑year MRED, launching in fall 2025, was built in partnership with industry leaders. Students will tackle housing, environmental, and equity challenges through hands‑on projects, case studies, site visits, and competitions. “This enduring gift lets us develop coursework that examines emerging capital‑market tools capable of scaling affordable housing beyond traditional public subsidies,” said Greg Morrow, executive director of MRED. “Through these efforts, UCLA MRED is pioneering fresh approaches to the affordable‑housing crisis.”
Standard Communities, a Los Angeles‑based firm renowned for high‑impact projects nationwide, has earned its reputation through creative financial structuring and public‑private partnerships that preserve and develop communities, uplift residents, and strengthen neighborhoods. The company will support the JASC program with guest lectures, mentorships, and internships, reinforcing the pipeline of talent dedicated to affordable housing.
Alter reflected on the gift’s impact: “We’ve seen how access to safe, stable, dignified housing transforms lives. This investment fuels the leaders who will carry that mission forward, building stronger, more resilient communities for generations.” Jaeger added, “Affordable housing is a powerful force that can change communities and offers a meaningful, financially rewarding career path. By supporting the program, we hope to expand the pipeline of professionals who bring fresh ideas, energy, and commitment to this space, ultimately delivering sustainable, equitable solutions.”
Standard Communities has delivered projects across the country that demonstrate how innovative financing can create safe, dignified homes for low‑ and moderate‑income families. Their work showcases the potential of blended‑finance models and community‑focused development to address the affordability crisis.
The JASC initiative underscores UCLA MRED’s commitment to industry collaboration, offering students real‑world exposure through internships and mentorships that bridge academic learning with professional practice. The program also highlights UCLA MRED’s broader certificate offerings in sustainable development, property technology, and asset management, ensuring graduates possess a versatile skill set.
“Affordable housing is among the most urgent needs in our region and beyond,” said interim dean Anastasia Loukaitou‑Sideris. “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.”
Standard Communities was founded during the 2008 housing crisis, and the donation aligns with its mission that affordable housing is central to thriving communities and a rewarding career path for young professionals. Together, the partnership between UCLA and Standard Communities sets a new standard for cultivating the next generation of real‑estate leaders dedicated to equitable, sustainable housing.
