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Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge

ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS INC

Foundation Annual Affordable Housing GrantsCapacity Building GrantsHousing Grants for Nonprofits
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Funding Amount

$2,000,000

Deadline

May 15, 2026

36 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge

Overview: A national housing innovation grant competition launched jointly by Wells Fargo and Enterprise Community Partners. This is the third iteration of the challenge, designed to identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Award Amount: Five individual grants of $2 million each

Geographic Scope: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.; Priority scoring given to 28 states plus D.C. (highlighted on map on application page)

Focus Areas - Proposals must encompass one or more of:

  • Design and Construction: Innovative approaches to housing design, construction methods, and building processes

  • Finance: New financing models and mechanisms for affordable housing

  • Service Delivery and Programs: Innovative service models and programming

    • Eligible Applicants:

  • Nonprofits

  • Mission-oriented for-profit entities

  • Quasi-governmental organizations

  • Housing Authorities and Housing Finance Agencies with a 501(c)(3) entity

  • Tribally Designated Housing Entities and Tribal Housing Authorities

    • Application Requirements:

  • Organizations must demonstrate clear outcomes and success from proof of concept or pilot program

  • Must provide clear pathway to expanding innovation's reach and impact

  • Projects must show potential for replication across markets

    • Additional Benefits for Winners:

  • Mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts

  • Access to powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators

  • Continued support and resources throughout implementation

    • Past Winner Impact (2020 and 2023 cycles):

  • 14,830 homes built and preserved

  • 26,560 people served

  • 19 states reached

  • $193 million additional funding leveraged

    • Competition Structure: Three-round selection process with panel of judges including leaders from Wells Fargo, Enterprise, and nationally recognized housing and community development experts

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Competition Timeline:

  • Round 1: April 1 - May 15, 2026 (CURRENTLY OPEN)

  • Round 2: August 10 - September 18, 2026

  • Round 3: Fall 2026 to Winter 2027

  • Winners Announced: Winter 2027

    • How to Apply:
    1. Access application via link from Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge web page (opens April 1, 2026)
    2. Submit by May 15, 2026

    Required Information:

  • Proof of concept or pilot program with clear outcomes and success metrics

  • Clear pathway for scaling and expanding the innovation

  • Demonstration of how innovation addresses housing affordability challenges

  • Geographic scope and community impact

  • Innovation focus area(s) - Design/Construction, Finance, or Service Delivery/Programs

    • Web Briefings Available:

  • "Getting Ready: The Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge"

  • Scheduled for April 7 and 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET

  • Registration available

    • Questions & Support:

  • Review FAQs on challenge webpage

  • Contact: [email protected]

    • Judges: Panel includes leaders from Wells Fargo, Enterprise, and nationally recognized housing and community development experts

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    affordable-housingcapacity-buildinghousing

    Categories

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    Affordable Housing GrantsCapacity Building GrantsHousing Grants for Nonprofits

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