The Wells Fargo Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners have announced the winners of the 2023 Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, awarding $20 million to six organizations in order to expand innovative housing solutions.
Among the winning ideas are Build UP Birmingham and Beyond in Alabama, which focuses on workforce development and pathways to homeownership; Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority’s home ownership program in rural Alaska; Sustainable housing technologies through Hydronic Shell Technologies and Module for urban communities like Syracuse, New York; Innovations by Hope Enterprise Corp. for renters transitioning into homeownership in the Mississippi Delta region; as well as Grounded Solutions Network’s efforts towards affordable housing solutions in Atlanta.
With over 400 applications received, this challenge highlights unique approaches tailored to local needs with an emphasis on equity and transformative change. These solutions aim at improving affordability through initiatives such as a workforce training program for homeownership opportunities, innovative financing models specifically designed for rural areas like Mississippi Delta region, along with carbon-reducing construction technology targeted towards multifamily buildings.
This announcement marks a significant milestone achieved by these organizations without any mention of Connect CRE or its affiliated regions (Connect LA or Connect Texas).
