Research Summary 1: Public Policy
Organization: Trust Neighborhoods (TN)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Mission: To preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities in Boston by acquiring, developing, and managing mixed-income rental housing communities.
Innovation: TN has developed a unique approach to affordable housing called the Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust (MINT). MINT is a community-controlled entity that owns and operates a portfolio of rental housing under permanent affordability restrictions. This model ensures that the housing remains affordable to low- and moderate-income families even as market values increase.
Impact: TN has preserved and created over 2,000 units of affordable housing in Boston. MINT has been credited with preventing displacement and revitalizing neighborhoods.
Research Summary 2: Finance
Organization: Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Location: Nationwide
Mission: To provide loans and investments to underserved communities, including affordable housing developers.
Innovation: CDFIs use a variety of innovative financing tools, such as flexible loans and equity investments, to support affordable housing projects. They also work with developers to identify and secure funding from sources that may not be available to traditional developers.
Impact: CDFIs have played a critical role in the development of affordable housing across the United States. They have helped to finance over 3 million units of affordable housing since their inception.
Research Summary 3: Construction/Design
Organization: Prefab Logic
Location: Oakland, California, USA
Mission: To revolutionize the construction industry by developing and manufacturing prefabricated modular housing units.
Innovation: Prefab Logic uses cutting-edge technology to design and manufacture modular housing units that can be assembled on-site in a fraction of the time it takes to build traditional housing. This approach can significantly reduce the cost of affordable housing.
Impact: Prefab Logic has partnered with developers to build affordable housing projects across the United States. The company’s modular units have been praised for their quality and efficiency.
Research Summary 4: Construction/Design
Organization: Mass Timber Design Studio
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Mission: To promote the use of mass timber in the construction of affordable housing.
Innovation: Mass Timber Design Studio is a non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and resources to developers who are interested in using mass timber, a type of construction that uses wood as the primary structural material.
Impact: Mass Timber Design Studio has helped to make mass timber a more viable option for affordable housing projects. The company’s work has led to the development of several mass timber affordable housing projects across the United States.
