ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with Jesse Russell, founder of Hiatus Homes and managing partner at Hiatus Capital Fund, to explore the movement behind small, sustainable housing—and how intentional design and policy reform can radically transform the way we live.
Based in Bend, Oregon, Jesse has grown Hiatus from a backyard tiny house project into one of the country’s most innovative small home developers. But this conversation isn’t just about home size—it’s about urban infill, state policy shifts, creative financing, and a vision for community-centered living that balances environmental consciousness with livability and ROI.
🏡 In this episode:
- Why most homes are built for the wrong demographics
- How Oregon’s “cottage code” and middle housing laws are reshaping cities
- Hiatus’ approach to energy modeling, air sealing, and net-zero readiness
- The tension between permitting red tape and sustainable development
- What “intentional living” really means—beyond marketing
- How Jesse transitioned from TV producer to small-scale developer
- Building the Hiatus Capital Fund and launching investor-ready projects
- Marketing insights, policy gaps, and why visuals sell visionary housing
This is a blueprint for rethinking affordability, density, and design—and how to actually get it done in a world of zoning challenges and climate urgency.
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🔗 Learn more: www.hiatushomes.com
📩 Contact the show: ymatacz@mediajpm.com
🎥 Full episode on YouTube: @yarekmatacz
