Affordable Housing Finance: Policy and A

This course explores the institutional frameworks and financial mechanisms that shape affordable housing policy in the United States. Designed for students seeking a practical understanding of housing finance, the course examines how public and private sectors collaborate to address the needs of low- and moderate-income households. Students will analyze the effectiveness of programs that promote access to affordable rental and owned housing, develop familiarity with key institutions and policies such as CRA, HMDA, and LIHTC, and evaluate project finance strategies. The course begins with approaches to homeownership as a path to intergenerational wealth, followed by a focus on rental housing that promotes stability, economic mobility, and equity. Students will engage with real-world data tools to assess lending patterns and housing market dynamics, culminating in a group project simulating a public financing request for an affordable housing development.