The grant period will be for three years, from November 2023 through October 2026.

Up to 50% of the grant will be disbursed after the grant agreement is executed in 2023. The remaining funds will be disbursed halfway through the grant period in 2025.

The challenge will award at least one breakthrough idea in each of the three focus areas. There are no defined number of awards.

The challenge is following HUD’s definition of a rural area: a place having fewer than 2,500 inhabitants; a county or parish with an urban population of 20,000 inhabitants or less; any place with a population not in excess of 20,000 inhabitants and not located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Here are profiles of our 2020 Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge winners. This video also features the story of our first-cycle winners and their innovations. 

Funds may not be used to support lobbying activities.