The Housing Affordability Problem

The US has a major housing gap, and it's still growing. Too many people have difficulty finding, securing, and sustaining a home, whether they're renters or buyers. Some are priced out of the areas they work in. Others have unsuitable properties, or live in substandard units. These individuals and families are chronically cost-burdened, insecure in their living situations. In some cases, they're one step from becoming unhoused. Non-profits, governments at all levels, and businesses are doing their best to address the problem by, for example:

The efforts of Individual organizations add up. One by one, local successes build momentum and contribute to altering the landscape and making things better for everyone. At the same time, there isn't a single solution to the problem, and no one entity can fix it for everyone. Collaboration is key, and initiatives involving stakeholders across sectors emerge to ideate, innovate, and work together to make an even greater difference. Both of these approaches are essential changing the dynamics of housing affordability.

We're Partnering to Make a Difference

Strategy   ▪   Organization   ▪   Leadership   ▪   Workforce   ▪   Marketing

Working Together for Affordability

We helped the GWRC Regional Housing Assembly (RHA) develop its first formal strategy to facilitate cross-sector collaboration on solutions to housing affordability challenges. The RHA strategy puts both regional and local visions into action, leveraging the collective efforts of governments, businesses, and non-profits to make sure everyone in Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties has access to safe, suitable, and stable housing.

Leading Regional Transformation

Our work with Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity enables the organization to address acute regional housing shortages and help lower-income families acquire and maintain high-quality, safe homes in developing communities. The Blue Ridge Habitat strategy takes it beyond the traditional Habitat model as it acts not just to impact a small group of families, but also to be a leader in creating housing solutions benefiting the entire region.

New Homes, New Communities

We helped Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley plan an ambitious program for the future of affordable housing in the Roanoke area region. One of the largest affiliates in the state, the strategy leverages its size, capabilities, and reputation to take on a greater role in the area's housing landscape. Smart investments and a diversified portfolio benefits lower-income families, their communities, and the city and surrounding localities.

Providing Hope through Housing

St. Martin Center provides essential services such as food and education to Erie residents in need. Many of them lack safe, secure housing, which the Center views as a key to transforming their lives. We collaborated on a strategy to strengthen and expand financial counseling as well as renter, homebuyer, and landlord support programs, equipping clients to find, acquire, and maintain homes that will fundamentally change their life trajectories.