Creating Opportunity: Megan Lasch on Expanding Affordable Housing in Dallas

Megan Lasch didn’t set out to build a career in affordable housing—but once she found it, she never looked back. 

Today, as President of O-SDA Industries, Megan is helping shape the future of housing across Dallas including a growing portfolio of developments supported by the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund (DHOF), a fund managed by LISC Fund Management (LFM). Projects such as Kiva East, Envoy 64, and Jaipur Lofts all advance a shared mission: delivering on high-quality, affordable homes in neighborhoods where rising costs are putting pressure on long-time residents. 

That mission is especially clear at Jaipur Lofts, a 71-unit new construction development in Dallas’s Old East neighborhood. Built on a site that once held just five single-family homes, the project represents a significant increase in housing access in an area experiencing rapid change. As Dallas continues to grow, many communities are seeing rising rents and shifting demographics that make it harder for families to remain where they’ve built their lives. Jaipur Lofts was designed to respond to that reality—delivering thoughtfully designed, income-restricted housing in a walkable neighborhood close to jobs, transit, and essential services. 

“We’re creating homes that allow families to remain rooted, even as neighborhoods change.” 

For Megan, the work is deeply personal—not because she planned it that way, but because of where it led her. Early in her career, she took on a contract role supporting an affordable housing project in Austin, focusing on permitting and construction punch lists. At the time, she didn’t even know what affordable housing was. But after meeting the development team and seeing the complexity behind the process, something clicked. 

 That early experience opened the door to a career defined by both technical challenge and social impact. Through programs that supported women- and minority-owned businesses, she was able to launch her company and grow within an ecosystem that valued inclusion. In turn, she has built a network of collaborators—many of them women and small business owners—who continue to grow alongside her work. And beyond the deals and development process, it’s the residents who remain at the center of her motivation. 

“This work is about fighting for people who don’t always have a voice in the room.” 

That sense of purpose has carried her through the challenges that come with development—an industry known for its complexity and, at times, resistance to change. With a background in engineering, Megan was already familiar with navigating male‑dominated spaces. But it was the mentorship she found in affordable housing that truly shaped her leadership style. 

The women who guided her didn’t treat the field as a competition—they created space, shared knowledge, and offered support. That “ladder‑down” spirit became the foundation of how she leads today, emphasizing collaboration, encouragement, and opening doors for those coming up behind her. 

She carries that approach forward today—creating space for others, especially women entering the field, and fostering a culture rooted in collaboration rather than competition. 

Like any development, the projects Megan leads face obstacles, from financing challenges to community dynamics. Yet her mindset is grounded in persistence: a belief that a setback isn’t a stopping point but an invitation to look for a different path and keep pushing toward a solution. 

Across Texas, developments like Jaipur Lofts, Kiva East, and Envoy 64 are doing more than adding units—they are helping preserve access, stability, and opportunity in neighborhoods that are rapidly evolving. For Megan and O-SDA Industries, that’s what makes the work meaningful. Affordable housing isn’t just about buildings—it’s about ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the cost of displacement, and that more families have the chance to build a future in the communities they call home. 

To learn more about O-SDA Industries and their growing portfolio, visit them at www.affordablehousingtexas.com.  

To learn more about LISC Fund Management and the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund, visit www.liscfundmanagement.org/dallas-housing-opportunity-fund.  

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References made to endorsements by any third-party to invest with LFM are not indicative of future performance and does not imply any guaranteed level of service, skill, or training. Investors should not rely on endorsements for any purpose and should conduct their own review prior to investing. Megan Lasch is not a “promoter” or investor in LFM, but is a third-party who is not compensated for this statement.  

The investments discussed do not represent all investments made by the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund (DHOF). It should not be assumed that any of the investments discussed were or will be profitable, or that investments made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the investments discussed herein. In addition, there can be no assurance that future funds will be able to make investments similar to the historic investments presented herein (because of economic conditions, the availability of investment opportunities and otherwise). No discussion with respect to specific companies should be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular investment.