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
Sparking Community-Led Investments in Under-invested Neighborhoods
Boston's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion is exploring innovative approaches to catalyze investment in underserved areas, with a focus on preventing displacement and creating economic opportunity. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop deep relationships with diverse stakeholders, including city partners, local business owners, corporate and finance leaders, philanthropic organizations,... 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
Expanding Homeownership Resources to Equitably Build Generational Wealth
Baltimore’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is working to overcome the legacy of past housing policies and ongoing housing challenges that have left marginalized communities with limited pathways to property ownership. The Executive Fellow will design and implement a homeownership coaching strategy for underserved communities, beginning with a... Read more
Operationalizing the Citywide Transportation Plan
City-wide transportation plans are critical for promoting equal opportunity and improving residents' lives by prioritizing accessibility, resource allocation, health, and community engagement. In Salt Lake City, transportation infrastructure has historically created uneven access to opportunity, with underserved communities, particularly those with high concentrations of populations of color, experiencing inadequate access... 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
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
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