With “people power,” Vancouver, B.C. activists stopped a condo in the heart of chinatown

Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) like BlueHub Loan Fund are stepping up to help create and preserve affordable housing. BlueHub Loan Fund recently financed a project in Nashville that converted two abandoned motels into affordable studio apartments, when larger banks wouldn’t finance the project.

Ten Mile, a community in South Carolina settled by freed slaves after the Civil War, is fighting climate gentrification and flooding by preserving land through forestry projects, land trusts, and greenbelt initiatives. Saving green spaces this way maintains the character of the historic Black neighborhood while promoting flood resiliency.

Kaua'i County Housing Agency uses a community engagement model for its master-planned affordable housing developments, involving community advisory committees, multiple public meetings, surveys, and online tools that allow residents to shape key housing and community decisions. The agency has applied this model for over a decade, with great results, including Lima Ola, a 550-unit workforce housing community.

The Downtown Crenshaw group was inspired by the success of community land trusts, a model that keeps ownership of land and housing in the hands of the community, who can choose to keep it permanently affordable while providing tenants a pathway to wealth building. Since May 2021, the group has purchased 10 parcels of land, which will be developed into residential and commercial space that’s affordable for longtime residents and businesses.

A "right-to-purchase" policy has enabled nonprofits to purchase residential buildings in gentrified neighborhoods in order to prevent the displacement of those relying on rent-controlled housing. Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is a Bay Area nonprofit leading the cause to counter gentrification and prevent developers from purchasing residential buildings that house low and moderate-income households. MEDA has purchased and managed 32 buildings and is one of fewer than 10 nonprofits in the area that exercise the "right-to-purchase" policy.

An b-corporation in Kensington, a Northern Philadelphia neighborhood, addresses gentrification and population growth in their area by bringing together entrepreneurs with community members to encourage local business growth and partnership. Now, Shift Capital's latest project aims to bring the community together by offering discounted rents for tenants in exchange for volunteer hours in the community.

India Lost and Found is a crowdsourced photography project that documents India's thousands of overlooked historical monuments through volunteer contributions. Launched in 2018, the initiative recruits volunteers through university partnerships and social media to photograph, research, and share stories about lesser-known historical sites. The project has grown to 500 active volunteers across Indian cities, with 30-35 new volunteers joining monthly and over 80,000 Instagram followers. The visual archives are also being used to drive structural assessments and restoration when needed.

Hawai‘i lawmakers are considering SB 332, a "community opportunity to purchase" policy that would give tenants, community land trusts, housing nonprofits and local governments up to 45 days to match or beat bids on foreclosed homes. This legislation is aimed at preserving affordable housing and preventing displacement and is modeled after similar successful policies in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.

In response to two historic apartment buildings facing condemnation and displacing low-income tenants, property manager Tim Brewer conducted major renovations, implemented flexible rental policies, offered free laundry services, and built a supportive sense of community through regular gatherings and collaborative problem-solving. His efforts not only saved the apartment buildings but also improved residents' sense of safety and community engagement.

In 1975, community members organized to urge the New Jersey state government to require cities to build their fair share of affordable multifamily housing. Dubbed “The Mount Laurel Doctrine,” the legislation, backed by local advocacy groups, has helped build 20,000 affordable housing units.