The Center for Housing Policy and Design’s (CHPD) co-director Mai Thi Nguyen is wrapping up her fellowship with the Filene Research Institute with a 5 part series: “The Role of Credit Unions in Affordable Housing Innovations“. The Filene Research Institute supports research pertaining to credit unions, with a focus on innovation and best practices.
This five-part Housing Innovation Series provides an essential roadmap for addressing the critical lack of affordable housing and homeownership in communities. Credit unions, as member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives, are uniquely positioned to advance equitable and sustainable housing solutions. Credit unions are committed to financial inclusion, local investment, and cooperative principles (Birchall, 2013). They also possess both the mission and the tools to help address the nation’s affordable housing challenges. Yet, realizing this potential requires innovation—across lending practices, land use strategies, ownership structures, and capital investment mechanisms.
This five-part series explores practical, scalable innovations in affordable housing with a focus on how credit unions can participate meaningfully in housing solutions—whether through lending, partnerships, advocacy, or investment. While the affordable housing landscape is complex, it is also rich with opportunities for credit unions to act in alignment with their core values of equity, cooperation, and member service. The pieces in this series draw on existing research, emerging models, and interviews with credit union leaders to offer valuable and actionable insights.
This series features pieces written by CHPD co-director Bill Fulton, research assistant Kate Zegans, Postdoctoral Scholar in the UC San Diego Department of Urban Studies & Planning Joshua Newton, Planner and Housing Policy Specialist Grant Ruroede, and Technical Director of Inclusive Financial Services at World Council of Credit Unions Eileen Miamidian.
- Part 1 — Meeting the Moment: How Credit Unions Are Tackling the Housing Shortage in Their Communities by Eileen Miamidian
- Part 2 — Another Housing Future is Possible: How Credit Unions Can Support Shared Equity Models by Joshua Newton and Grant Ruroede
- Part 3 — From Land to Homes: Credit Unions’ Role in Affordable Housing by William Fulton
- Part 4 — Leading the Way: Credit Union Strategy for Affordable Housing Investment Funds by Mai Thi Nguyen and Kate Zegans
- Part 5 — Innovations on Affordable Mortgages by Mai Thi Nguyen and Kate Zegans
Birchall, J. (2013). Resilience in a Downturn: The Power of Financial Cooperatives. International Labour Organization.
