Communities across the country are grappling with rising housing costs and massive housing shortages, even in cities that once had enough housing. The housing affordability challenge is particularly dire in places that are unable to build housing fast enough and that struggle to manage growth equitably so that all residents can afford a place to live.  

The Urban Institute aims to equip a wide range of changemakers with data and evidence-based approaches that will move the needle on housing affordability. We are working to inform Amazon's housing fund, which offers below-market loans and grants to preserve and create affordable housing in the company’s hometown communities in the Puget Sound, Washington; Nashville, Tennessee; and Arlington, Virginia, and the greater Washington, DC, regions. As part of this work, Urban will analyze housing market conditions, elevate opportunities to prevent displacement, and support housing-development firms led by people of color.

We will update this page with new data insights, tools, and reports as they are completed.