Hannah Gable, Director of Strategy and Operations at Ivory Innovations, illuminated
developments and future directions for housing affordability and innovation.
The Ivory Prize: A Catalyst for Housing Innovation
Gable highlighted the Ivory Prize, a platform designed to recognize and support the most promising and scalable solutions in housing affordability. Over the past six years, the prize has evaluated over 500 innovations from diverse participants, including for-profit startups, nonprofits, government entities, and social enterprises. Each year, the prize highlights 25 finalists and three winners, showcasing the breadth and impact of these innovations.
Key Areas of Focus
Ivory Innovations focuses on four primary areas to drive change:
- Convene and Share: Bringing together industry experts to share insights.
- Inspire the Next Generation: Encouraging new ideas from young innovators.
- Support Entrepreneurs: Sourcing and supporting the best entrepreneurial solutions.
- Build: Experimenting and putting innovative ideas into practice.
Emerging Trends in Housing Innovation
Gable discussed several emerging trends that are shaping the future of housing, including:
- Offsite Construction: This method is gaining traction as it offers efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Workforce Development: Addressing the labor shortage in the construction industry is crucial. The sector needs to attract around 500,000 new workers in 2024 alone.
- Robotic Automation: Automation in home building is becoming more prevalent, making construction safer and more efficient.
- Shared Appreciation Downpayment Assistance: Innovative financing options are helping more people achieve homeownership.
- Digital Platforms: Connecting voucher holders with housing through digital improves accessibility.
- 3D-Printed Homes: This technology is emerging as a viable option for affordable housing.
- Tiny Home Villages: Potential solutions for affordable and sustainable living.
- Pro-Housing Movement: Advocacy and policy initiatives are driving the pro-housing agenda.
- State and City-Level Financial Innovation: Local governments are experimenting with new financing models to support housing development.
- Building with Hemp and Recycled Plastic: Construction uses sustainable materials more frequently.
Addressing the Labor Shortage
Gable emphasized the impact of the labor shortage in the construction industry. The need for workforce development is urgent, with estimates suggesting that 41% of the current construction workforce will retire by 2031. Organizations like the Home Builders Institute (HBI) are essential in providing career and technical education in the building industry. Additionally, innovations like Canvas’s worker-controlled robotic machine are making construction tasks safer and more attractive to new workers.
Increased Government Funding
Gable noted the substantial increase in government funding for housing. In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $5.5 billion in funding for states, counties, and municipalities–a significant increase in investment, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of affordable housing.
The Pro-Housing Movement
The pro-housing movement is gaining momentum, with nearly 60% of states having at least one active pro-housing group. These groups focus on innovative policy areas such as “Yes In God’s Backyard” (YIGBY), transit-oriented development, office-to-residential conversions, and social housing.
Policy Resources
Gable encouraged policymakers and stakeholders to utilize and contribute to the Housing Innovation Policy Database. This free online repository includes over 50 recognized bills across emerging topic areas, providing valuable resources for movement builders, local advocates, and policymakers.
Additional information can be found on the Ivory Innovations website.