Underserved communities see an inextricable link between affordable housing and resident health outcomes
Fannie Mae has announced a call for ideas on healthy affordable housing to respond to the negative impact of poor quality housing on a person's health.
The call is part of The Innovation Challenge, a two-year, $10 million commitment to source new ideas through entering into contracts for services by reaching outside of Fannie Mae and our traditional partners.
The application period is open through Nov. 1.
Fannie Mae said there is an inextricable link between affordable housing and health outcomes of residents in underserved communities. To spur creative solutions to support low- and moderate-income households, the company has called on applicants to propose ideas that respond to one or more of the following problem statements:
· How might we use innovative technology and design to improve affordable homes to better support health, promote overall wellness, or prevent disease and illness?
· How might we leverage finance vehicles to incentivize the creation of affordable homes that promote health and wellness?
· How might we foster design that promotes diverse, sustainable, multigenerational affordable communities in which all individuals can remain a vibrant part of their community through every stage of life?
"At Fannie Mae, we are committed to increasing access to healthy, affordable housing," said Fannie Mae Executive Vice President and Head of Multifamily Jeffery Hayward. "The Innovation Challenge addresses the evolving needs of homebuyers, homeowners, and renters where they overlap with health and wellness issues. Access to affordable homes that keep residents safe and healthy is a critical industry issue, and one that requires us to look at how housing and health impact each other in order to find the best solutions."
"We recognize the value in breaking down silos to work with new partners on issues that are inextricably linked to affordable housing in order to create comprehensive solutions," Fannie Mae Vice President of Sustainable Communities Maria Evans said. "We are fostering sustainable communities by incubating innovative ideas that directly address our mission to bring affordability and stability to underserved areas and help ensure those residents have access to healthy, affordable, safe places to call home."
