Angela Gravely-Smith

Closing the Homeownership Gap: A practice in designing data and community-informed solutions

Despite its ability to provide financial stability and close racial wealth gaps, the pathway to homeownership is fraught with deep-seated legacies of discrimination. This session will delve into the complexities of homeownership as a crucial wealth-building tool, particularly for households of color.

Through discussion and an activity, the speakers will share data and community-informed strategies to expand affordable and sustainable homeownership for Black, Indigenous, Latine, and Asian American communities.

Angela Gravely-Smith will share an overview of Living Cities’ Closing the Gaps Cohort’s work to close homeownership gaps by leveraging resources such as community needs assessments, data, and technical assistance.

Kellee Coleman, a cohort member from the City of Austin, will reflect on their experience engaging local residents to shape the city’s programs and policies. They will also share an overview of the City of Austin’s work with targeted financial assistance programs and community land trusts to expand BIPOC homeownership.

Participants will walk away with an expanded toolkit of ways to collaborate with residents to name and address challenges in their respective communities, as well as a case study from the City of Austin about how they are leveraging community feedback to expand BIPOC homeownership. Join us to learn practical solutions for a more equitable housing landscape, where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive and build intergenerational wealth.