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
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
Advancing Equity and Sustainability in Workforce Development
The Department of Health and Human Services in Long Beach is navigating significant challenges in workforce development, particularly in addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations. Historical economic disparities have disproportionately affected low-income residents and communities of color, creating barriers to health services and employment opportunities. These challenges have... 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
Strengthening Immigrant and Historically Disadvantaged Small Business Ownership and Generational Wealth-Building
Philadelphia's immigrant-owned small businesses play a crucial role in the city's economy, accounting for over a third of businesses in commercial corridors. Despite their economic significance, these business owners face substantial barriers to building long-term wealth, including limited access to business succession planning resources and challenges in acquiring the commercial... 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
Updating Urban Forestry Systems
The City of Los Angeles is embarking on a project in collaboration with FUSE to evaluate and update the Urban Forestry Division (UFD) fee schedule within the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Street Services. With the management of over 700,000 trees along 6,500 miles of public roads, the UFD... Read more