Research - Keys Unlock Dreams

Homeownership Research

We are working with the Urban Institute, Zillow and other organizations to create critical research to support policy solutions and the development of new products to help expand affordable housing, expand fair housing opportunities for underserved groups, and create vibrant communities. Check out important research we’ve conducted to date.

Solutions

The 2025 State of Equitable Homeownership

Homeownership remains a cornerstone of financial security and intergenerational wealth in the United States. Yet, for many Black, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native individuals and families, this pathway has been obstructed by a legacy of discriminatory policies, practices, and systems that continue to shape—and in some cases restrict—access to credit, housing, and economic opportunity….

Washington DC Slide Deck

This slide deck provides a comprehensive overview of racial disparities in homeownership in the city of Washington DC and Washington DC MSA by analyzing household socioeconomic characteristics, mortgage and credit, home prices, and housing supply in Washington DC that are all related to the lower Black homeownership rate and housing wealth in the region. Its aim is to help decision-makers identify and evaluate solutions to racial housing wealth disparities in their area and to offer metrics and benchmarks toward progress.

New Orleans Slide Deck

This slide deck provides a comprehensive overview of racial disparities in homeownership in the city of New Orleans and New Orleans MSA by analyzing household socioeconomic characteristics, mortgage and credit, home prices, and housing supply in New Orleans that are all related to the lower Black homeownership rate and housing wealth in the region. Its aim is to help decision-makers identify and evaluate solutions to racial housing wealth disparities in their area and to offer metrics and benchmarks toward progress.

Oakland Slide Deck

This slide deck provides a comprehensive overview of racial disparities in homeownership in the city of Oakland and Oakland MSA by analyzing household socioeconomic characteristics, mortgage and credit, home prices, and housing supply in Oakland that are all related to the lower Black homeownership rate and housing wealth in the region. Its aim is to help decision-makers identify and evaluate solutions to racial housing wealth disparities in their area and to offer metrics and benchmarks toward progress.

COVID-19 and Homeownership in Baltimore

Homeownership declined in Baltimore during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating long standing issues that have fallen particularly hard on Black communities, a new report by several local and national nonprofit organizations has found. The report, “COVID-19 and Homeownership in Baltimore,” documents how the Black community has lagged in homeownership rates in Baltimore historically. In Baltimore, from…

Philadelphia Slide Deck

This slide deck provides a comprehensive overview of racial disparities in homeownership in the city of Philadelphia and Philadelphia MSA by analyzing household socioeconomic characteristics, mortgage and credit, home prices,…

Baltimore Slide Deck

This slide deck provides a comprehensive overview of racial disparities in homeownership in the city of Baltimore and Baltimore MSA by analyzing household socioeconomic characteristics, mortgage and credit, home prices, and housing supply in Baltimore that are all related to the lower Black homeownership rate and housing wealth in the region. Its aim is to help decision-makers identify and evaluate solutions to racial housing wealth disparities in their area and to offer metrics and benchmarks toward progress.

Houston Slide Deck

This slide deck provides a comprehensive overview of racial disparities in homeownership in the city of Houston and Houston MSA by analyzing household socioeconomic characteristics, mortgage and credit, home prices, and housing supply in Houston that are all related to the lower Black homeownership rate and housing wealth in the region. Its aim is to…

Challenges

The 2025 State of Equitable Homeownership

Barriers to Accessing Homeownership Down Payment, Credit, and Affordability

50 Years After the Fair Housing Act – Inequality Lingers

Keys Unlock Dreams Initiative

Keys Unlock Dreams is a nationwide initiative led by the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA). NFHA is a national, civil rights organization established in 1988 to advance housing justice. NFHA has been working for over 30 years to eliminate all forms of housing discrimination and ensure that every community is well-resourced with the opportunities and amenities people need to thrive.

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