Housing Solutions and Anchor Institutions
The pervasive challenge of housing affordability requires a comprehensive approach in response. The Academy's project on housing solutions explores and highlights a particular local approach. The focus is on how anchor institutions—universities and colleges, faith-based organizations, and philanthropies—can facilitate affordable housing solutions in their communities.
The United States is facing an unprecedented housing crisis regarding both rental markets and home sales. Rents are climbing faster than paychecks. Home prices have placed the possibility of homeownership beyond many Americans. In the past few years, the crisis has reached nearly every state. Indeed, there is nowhere in the United States today that someone earning minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment.
Addressing the housing affordability crisis demands a comprehensive approach that must include the local level. To contribute to these efforts, the Academy launched this project to highlights how anchor institutions— universities and colleges, faith-based organizations, and philanthropies—can facilitate affordable housing solutions in their communities.
Local institutions are employers, landowners, and mission-driven organizations; advancing housing strategies is a complementary function.
People
Paula J. Giddings
