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A Message From the Affordable Homeownership Team

It’s officially Homeownership Month! We know these are challenging times, but this crisis has made it clear that we must continue our work to help change systems so that all Americans can achieve prosperity. While exploring “Homeownership Now and After COVID-19,” we continue working to expand affordable housing and increase opportunities for homeownership, even in changing times. This month, we are spotlighting an array of housing partners to discuss the challenges of serving their communities and protecting homeownership while embracing key principles to shape the future. This crisis presents many challenges, but it is also an opportunity to change how we work by reflecting on the lessons of the recovery from the Great Recession and longstanding housing inequities. We are encouraging housing and related organizations to reposition their priorities and programming and to prepare for what comes next.

As we all navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to assure you that the support we offer the members of our Network won’t falter. Please fill out this survey [[link removed]]to share your stories on the impact of COVID-19 on your communities, your organization and your partners. You can also email [[email protected]]. We want to hear what you're seeing on the ground and how best to support you.

Our Resources [[link removed]] page is continually updated, so check back frequently. We're in this together!

In Case You Missed It

Homeownership Month Blogs

Affordable Homeownership: A Health & Economic Solution

The COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis it caused and the nationwide equal justice protests have reminded us that racial economic inequality persists in our country. With unemployment impacting more than 40 million people and many states reopening their economies, we are now thinking about how to move beyond this crisis. Homeownership must be part of the plan. Low-income families and households of color have long faced many barriers to homeownership. The widespread gap in wealth and homeownership has not been clearer since the last recession. Amid the current crisis, we must ask ourselves, are we doomed to repeat the same mistakes of the Great Recession?

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Black Home Values and Appreciation

Racial inequalities in homeownership are crucial to understanding the racial wealth divide. According to the St. Louis Fed, 73.7% of White Americans own a home, in contrast to 44% of Black Americans. Nonetheless, Black Americans hold more equity in homes than in any other asset, and homeownership represents one of the most tangible ways of building wealth. Consequently, in addition to increasing the Black homeownership rate, we need to address the systemic obstacles that Black homeowners face in using their homes as wealth-building tools.

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Past Webinars

Protecting Homeowners and Affordable Housing in the Age of COVID-19

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our country was in the midst of a housing affordability crisis that left millions of families cost-burdened. Now, as we fight COVID-19, many households are unable to make rent or mortgage payments, and are at risk of losing their homes. Join us as we bring together a panel of professionals to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in our communities, and more importantly, how we can implement solutions that will put our communities on a path to equitable recovery that preserves and creates affordable, high-quality housing for those who need it most.

Recording can be found here [[link removed]].

Conversations on Manufactured Housing: Examining the Impact of COVID-19 to the MH Field

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of households were snared in the nation’s housing affordability crisis. Manufactured housing provided safe, affordable options for thousands of households. Now, as we fight COVID-19, many households are unable to make rent or mortgage payments, and many manufactured housing owners find their homes and parks are at risk. We discussed the impact of COVID-19 in our manufactured housing communities, and more importantly, how we can implement solutions that will put these communities on a path to equitable recovery that preserves manufactured housing and continues promote it as a viable solution to the nation’s housing crisis.

Recording can be found here [[link removed]].

In the News

ROC USA COVID-19 Resources Center

ROC USA - In trying times like this, individual ROCs shine because they are engaged and mutually supportive neighborhoods. Visit the ROC COVID-19 Resources, for more information for ROCs and identify your ROC technical assistance partner, who can provide further support.

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Colorado House Bills for Manufactured Housing

Some officials consider manufactured housing to be the last “naturally affordable” housing option in Boulder County. But the potential benefits to residents haven’t been enough to guarantee quick adoption of new policies and ownership structures in mobile home parks. A bill crafted by locals and sponsored by state Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder, and others that was passed in both houses of the Legislature aims to create more chances for mobile home park tenants to buy the land under their homes from owners. One bill, known as HB20-1201 Mobile Home Park Residents Opportunity to Purchase, requires park owners to notify their residents, tenant associations and relevant local governments that a sale is on the table and to give residents 90 days to make an offer. The second bill, known as HB 20-1196 Mobile Park Act Update, strengthens protections against unreasonable evictions and landlord retaliation, and spells out what counts as a valid rule or regulation.

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David Anderson from All Parks Alliance for Change Named 2020 Bush Fellow

Congratulations to longtime I’M HOME partner, Dave Anderson for being named a 2020 Bush Fellow! Anderson, executive director of All Parks Alliance for Change, believes manufactured housing can help solve the affordable housing crisis for hard-working families. He challenges the stereotype of home parks as places of poverty and danger. Instead, he says they are places of resilience, diversity, pride and self-sufficiency. To advance his ideas and influence, he will pursue training to lead a multicultural movement for change and study innovative ways to reshape the narrative of park communities. Congrats, Dave!

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