Policy Advocacy
Our goal is to change systems on a national scale to promote racial and economic justice by expanding opportunities for homes with lasting affordability.
Changing the National Landscape
Housing markets don’t naturally preserve affordable housing in gentrifying neighborhoods, and they don’t readily support new development of housing for lower-income families in high-opportunity neighborhoods. The communities most affected by the affordability crisis are overwhelmingly communities of color, largely due to structural racism that locks families of color out of homeownership and wealth-building opportunities.
With sound policy and effective action, we can shape equitable and robust communities—with opportunity for all.
How We Advocate
Grounded Solutions Network keeps a watchful eye on public policies impacting affordable housing and community development. We conduct research and share our analysis with our members, allies, clients, and governments. We coordinate private and public partnerships, build coalitions, and lead strategic outreach.
Three main goals characterize our policy and partnership activities:
We grow the number of affordable homes with lasting affordability through increased access to mortgage financing for homebuyers and funding for nonprofits. We build partnerships with state housing finance agencies, private mortgage lending institutions, and other lenders willing to provide financing to our members. We also identify private funding opportunities and advocate for federal funding and program rules that will result in support for our members.
We improve the policy environment for lasting affordability. We work with national organizations in community development and affordable housing, cultivate collaborations, coordinate and align advocacy campaigns, and conduct education and outreach at national conferences. On the local and national levels, we also work to incorporate lasting affordability into equitable transit-oriented development efforts, inclusionary zoning, housing trust funds, and land banks.
We advance racial and economic justice by rejecting the notion that displacement is inevitable. We empower local advocates through trainings, tools, resources, and technical assistance to help shape the trajectory of their communities.
