Expanding Affordable Housing Supply for First-Time Homebuyers
The Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development is embarking on a strategic planning process to address housing affordability challenges that disproportionately affect low to moderate-income residents, especially underserved communities. The FUSE Executive Fellow will work with various city agencies to develop a three-year uniform strategic plan that informs the acquisition,... Read more
Catalyzing Bold, Inclusive Affordable Housing Expansion
Albuquerque reflects New Mexico’s remarkable diversity, with nearly 80% of residents identifying as people of color and 10% as people who immigrated. However, residents face significant housing challenges, with single-family home prices increasing 8% last year and nearly 300% over the past generation—far outpacing wage growth. More than one-third of... Read more
Home Ownership as Preservation (HOP)
Seattle has experienced dramatic growth over the past decade, becoming one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States. While this growth presents economic opportunities, rapidly increasing rents and home prices have displaced low-income families to less expensive areas further from the city. The City has recognized that historically... Read more
Expanding Access to Resources and Capital for Equitable Home Ownership
Cleveland faces significant housing challenges rooted in historical patterns of disinvestment that have disproportionately impacted low to moderate-income residents and underserved communities. The city's aging housing stock requires significant repairs in many cases, while neighborhoods that have historically experienced underinvestment, particularly on the East side, are now dealing with rising... Read more
Strengthening Affordable Homeownership Opportunities through Limited Equity Cooperatives
Limited Equity Cooperatives (LECs) are a form of affordable homeownership where residents collectively own their housing and agree to limit resale prices, thereby preserving long-term affordability for future generations. These cooperatives are particularly vital in Washington, D.C., where rapidly rising housing costs and historical housing policies have disproportionately displaced Black,... Read more
Preventing Displacement and Investing in Resilience
Seattle faces significant housing challenges stemming from its rapid growth and strong economy, which have made it an attractive place to settle but have also created displacement pressures for many families, especially historically underrepresented households. The Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) has a clear vision for inclusive, resilient... Read more
Cultivating Partnerships to Build Wealth and Financial Inclusion
The Port of Long Beach is an economic powerhouse, handling $200 billion worth of goods annually and supporting 2.6 million jobs nationwide. However, the West Long Beach neighborhood that houses the port, where 90% of residents are people of color, with significant Latino, Black, and Filipino communities, suffers from poor... Read more
Designing IT Systems for Veterans to Thrive
Los Angeles County is home to approximately 281,000 military veterans who, despite their leadership experience and community service mindset, face significant challenges. Compared to civilians, veterans are twice as likely to experience homelessness and suicide, with one in three reporting having been jailed—rates that are even higher for veterans of... Read more
Fostering Intergenerational Wealth Through Homeownership
Kansas City faces significant housing challenges, including high vacancy rates (10.5% of housing units) and declining Black homeownership, which has decreased by 2.5% in recent years with fewer than 50% of Black households owning homes. To address these issues, the city's Land Bank is collaborating with the Office of Housing... Read more
Connecting Home Buyers with Down Payment Assistance
Durham, North Carolina is experiencing one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, currently ranking fourth nationally in price growth and demand. The city's expanding job market in technology and healthcare has attracted new residents, but rising housing costs have created significant challenges, especially for historically underrepresented renters... Read more