The Case for Innovation in Housing: How Local Governments Can Drive Solutions

Innovation is transforming how we build, finance, and expand access to affordable housing every day, unlocking new opportunities for both homebuyers and renters alike. To elevate and expand the reach of new solutions, Enterprise Community Partners and the Wells Fargo Foundation, Ivory Innovations, and Terner Labs each operate opportunities to inspire, accelerate, and scale housing innovation: the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, the Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability, and The Housing Venture Lab.

This white paper features nine case studies that illustrate how local governments can create and foster environments conducive to housing innovation. It advocates for tailored strategies and frameworks that align with the unique needs and aspirations of communities across the United States. 

Each case study relates to one of three themes, demonstrating how local governments and policymakers can champion innovation in these critical areas:  

• Wealth justice and access to homeownership 
• Housing supply creation through industrialized construction  
• Overcoming systemic barriers to preventing and ending homelessness 

Collectively, the innovations featured demonstrate how effective governance can drive innovation and positive outcomes in local housing systems.

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