The Power of Staying Power

How Philanthropy Can Anchor Solutions to the Housing Crisis

Philanthropy and city governments share a unique and critical characteristic: longevity. Unlike the transient nature of political administrations, market-driven entities or public sentiment, these institutions are purpose built to endure. This longevity positions philanthropy as a key partner in addressing the long-term challenges of affordable housing. By focusing on the big picture and staying committed over time, philanthropy can drive sustainable, transformative solutions that last across economic cycles and leadership changes.

The Longevity Advantage

Fixing the affordable housing crisis isn’t something you can do overnight. It requires strategic effort, planning, and investment in the short, medium and long term. While the private sector focuses on returns quarterly or annually, governments shift priorities with every leadership change and public attention waxes and wanes, philanthropy has the capability to play the long game. It can remain focused on ambitious goals that take years to achieve.

Here’s why this matters:

1. Consistency: Philanthropy can keep affordable housing solutions on the agenda, even when other sectors lose interest, support or meet resistance.
2. Big Projects: Philanthropy can back initiatives with big payoffs that require long-term commitment and investment to succeed.
3. Preserving Knowledge: Philanthropy can document what works, share results and drive narratives that shift policy, practice and investment across the affordable housing ecosystem.

Philanthropy as Strategic Anchor

Philanthropy is uniquely equipped to stake out and sustain a strategic direction in affordable housing. This role includes:

1. Vision Alignment: Acting as a bridge between shifting local and state government priorities and the evolving needs of communities, ensuring strategic continuity.
2. Strategic Investment: Deploying grants and impact investments that adapt to changing market conditions, funding key research and knowledge transfer, while staying true to the mission of expanding affordable housing supply
3. Systemic Change: Aggressive pursuit of ongoing critical systemic changes, such as zoning and code modernization, innovative financing or tenant protections, regardless of political climate.

An Enduring Role

By actively leveraging its longevity, philanthropy can anchor efforts to expand affordable housing supply over the long term. Philanthropy's ability to maintain a consistent strategic focus, combined with strategic investment and systemic change efforts, positions philanthropy as an indispensable partner in creating housing solutions that stand the test of time.