Empowering Atlanta’s Housing Future
Atlanta faces significant housing challenges that disproportionately impact underserved communities, particularly communities of color. Rising housing costs and limited access to financial resources have created barriers to homeownership, with Black families experiencing a 50% lower homeownership rate compared to white families due to historical lending practices and lack of targeted... Read more
Empowering Small Developers and Driving Entrepreneurship
The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (LMG) is addressing economic inequality through a targeted approach to foster entrepreneurship and real estate development within underserved communities. FUSE Executive Fellow Johnetta Roberts will lead a comprehensive assessment of the small developer landscape in Louisville, conducting listening sessions with stakeholders across local government, nonprofits,... Read more
Building Wealth in Louisville’s Underserved Neighborhoods with CDFIs
Louisville is working to close significant gaps in capital inflows compared to peer cities. A 2022 study revealed Louisville trails in several key funding areas, including a striking 91.14% deficit in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) investment flows. FUSE Executive Fellow Vicky Harris will develop a comprehensive strategy to enhance... Read more
Closing the Racial Wealth Gap through Neighborhood Wealth-Building and Revitalization
Atlanta faces one of the largest wealth disparities in the country, with stark differences in wealth levels between different demographic groups. This wealth gap is most evident in predominantly Black neighborhoods where residents have limited access to wealth-building resources such as capital for small businesses, neighborhood-serving retail, and local employment... Read more
Water Management Energy Efficiency
Durham, North Carolina is addressing significant challenges in water and energy management as part of its broader commitment to infrastructure modernization and carbon neutrality. Despite the city's economic growth and median household income of nearly $60,000, Durham faces economic disparities with a poverty rate of 15.2%. National studies show that... 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
Transforming Municipal Property into Affordable Residential Housing Opportunities
Durham, North Carolina has experienced significant growth, with population increasing by 24% between 2010 and 2020 and median home values rising by 59% from 2017 to 2022. These market dynamics have widened existing inequities, with Black household homeownership (42.1%) lagging significantly behind white households (64.6%). To address these disparities, the... Read more
Addressing Flood Mitigation Through Innovative Infrastructure Design and Urban Planning
In response to the escalating impacts of climate change on Jacksonville, FL, the city has initiated a project to develop climate-resilient infrastructure design standards. With rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and coastal storms affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately, the city is partnering with FUSE to create a comprehensive Climate Resilient Design Guidelines... Read more
Enabling Resilience Capabilities Across Atlanta
In response to the deeply rooted challenges of racial segregation, economic disparity, and limited life opportunities faced by residents in Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens has launched a transformative initiative to make the city the best place in the country to raise a child. Recognizing the need for immediate and direct... Read more
Curbing Commercial Energy Use Through Equitable Legislation Design
New Orleans is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving building energy efficiency. It has successfully reduced energy use in its City buildings and launched the Downtown Energy Challenge. Despite restrictions on regulating natural gas use in private buildings, the City aims to lead by example and encourage others... Read more