Home ownership remains a central pillar to the American dream. For most Americans, home equity encompasses the lion’s share of their wealth. Yet, housing is becoming increasingly inaccessible and out of reach. Median sales prices across the country have outpaced income growth. Demand for housing far outweighs supply. Costs are out of range for many. Contemporary mortgage markets still exclude more than half of Black American households from homeownership. The importance of homeownership in building wealth coupled with the oppressive legacy of racial exclusion point to the need for systemic policy change.
Attendees joined Asset Funders Network on March 7th, 2023 for a dynamic discussion on local interventions, local and regional policies (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) that promote equity and access to homeownership.
SPEAKERS
Julian St. Patrick Clayton: Deputy Director of Policy and Research, Center for NYC Neighborhoods
Christie Stewart: Chief Initiative Officer, Center for Housing Opportunity (CT)
Marcel Negret: Senior Planner, Regional Plan Association
Staci Berger: President and CEO of Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey
Moderator:
Julian Pierce: Director, Economic Opportunity, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Together, we:
- Heard market-specific strategies to lower entry barriers and create more equity and affordability through housing policy
- Discussed the role of philanthropy to identify, support, and educate for housing affordability and equity
Pre-Reads:
Connecticut Housing Accessibility and Affordability (urban.org)
Fairfield County Housing Accessibility and Affordability (urban.org)
The Fourth Regional Plan – The Fourth Regional Plan (fourthplan.org)
Housing Segregation is a Choice
Be my Neighbor: Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions
Be My Neighbor in Fairfield County: Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions
REIMAGINING FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT IN 2020
