Sustainable Workforce Housing Development - Spring
Advisor: Nancy Degnan
Team Members: Caroline Benedetti (Manager), Astrid Giraud (Deputy Manager), William Morrissey, Aditya Mistry, Alex Li, Andrew Tseng, Jay Xu, Kimberly Liu, Theo Moers, Gabriel Sandosham, Vincy Wu
This capstone report explores the MOONSHOT initiative, a philanthropic investment strategy aimed at addressing the growing shortage of workforce housing in the United States. The workforce housing crisis affects individuals earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income—often referred to as the “missing middle”—including teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers, and other essential community members who struggle to afford housing near their workplaces. Traditional affordable housing policies typically focus on lower-income households, leaving workforce populations underserved. The report analyzes housing market dynamics contributing to this gap and proposes a new model that leverages philanthropic capital to support sustainable workforce housing development.
The MOONSHOT model uses philanthropic investments as equity to finance housing developments while ensuring long-term affordability through nonprofit ownership structures. The initiative seeks to create one million sustainable workforce housing units by 2035, guided by principles of additionality, permanence, and sustainability. The report proposes pilot housing projects in Northwest Arkansas, West Palm Beach, and Nantucket, using data analysis and stakeholder interviews to estimate housing demand and investment needs in each location. In addition to financial models, the report integrates sustainability principles—including resource efficiency, climate resilience, and community cohesion—into housing design and development practices. By combining philanthropic capital with sustainable development strategies, the MOONSHOT initiative aims to expand housing access for essential workers while promoting environmentally responsible urban development.
Learn more about the MPA-ESP Capstone projects.