Build Thriving Communities Through Holistic Housing

Stable housing anchors economic security, yet millions remain without it. Building affordable units is only the starting point. Sustainable impact requires housing linked to employment, education, health, and childcare support. Holistic housing models integrate services on-site, connecting residents directly to resources. When community leaders support mixed-income developments with built-in services, low-income families gain stability and opportunities for growth and improvement. These models lift residents, strengthen neighborhoods, and drive progress where it is most needed.

To Get Started:

• Identify Community Needs: Collaborate with local partners and residents to design and implement tailored support services that address specific community challenges.

• Fund Holistic Programs: Dedicate funding to comprehensive, wraparound services integrated into affordable housing complexes in high-need areas.

• Provide Targeted Services: Deliver essential services identified by the community, such as basic needs support, on-site childcare, healthcare access, and job training.

• Build Cross-Sector Partnerships: Partner with stakeholders to share resources, best practices, and expand service offerings for greater community impact.

• Business

  Businesses play a key role in creating stable communities and a dependable workforce. Affordable, holistic housing solutions help attract talent and support long-term growth. Invest directly, offer employee volunteer programs, and build partnerships for job training. This is a strategic decision that strengthens your brand, drives local progress, and ensures your workforce has the support needed to thrive.

  Best Practices / Innovative Programs:

  1. Wells Fargo supports holistic housing initiatives by funding affordable housing projects that include wraparound services, such as financial literacy and job training. Their NeighborhoodLIFT program has helped thousands of families achieve homeownership while strengthening communities.

  2. Microsoft Affordable Housing Initiative has committed $750 million to address affordable housing shortages in the Seattle area, funding projects that integrate transportation, childcare, and community services. Their investments aim to create sustainable, inclusive communities for low- and middle-income families.

• Nonprofit Organization

  Nonprofit organizations are the operational backbone of holistic housing models. With deep roots in the community and expertise in service delivery, your organization is perfectly positioned to design and implement the programs that residents need. This includes managing on-site services, coordinating with other providers, and ensuring the programs are responsive to the evolving needs of the families being served. Your role is to connect the dots between housing and opportunity. By integrating services such as case management, financial literacy, and after-school programs directly into a housing complex, you eliminate barriers to access and create a supportive environment where residents can develop skills and achieve their goals.

  Best Practices / Innovative Programs:

  1. Beyond Housing in North St. Louis, MO, is a holistic model that addresses interconnected needs, including affordable housing, healthcare, education, and transportation. Their "Ask, Align, Act" framework ensures community-driven solutions, fostering trust and long-term impact.

  2. Innovative Housing Opportunities in California creates mixed-income, mixed-population communities with sustainable technologies and programs for resident success. Their projects, like Mandela Station in Oakland, integrate art, culture, and economic mobility initiatives.

• Philanthropic Organization

  Philanthropic organizations accelerate change by providing seed funding for holistic housing, backing research to ensure projects meet real community needs, and convening partners across sectors to drive lasting partnerships. Your investment not only launches new developments but also removes barriers and fosters systemic solutions that address the root causes of poverty and expand economic opportunity.

  Best Practices / Innovative Programs:

  1. Wells Fargo Housing Affordability Program supports holistic housing initiatives by funding affordable housing projects that include wraparound services like financial literacy and job training. Their NeighborhoodLIFT program has helped thousands of families achieve homeownership while strengthening communities.

  2. The San Francisco Foundation’s "All In On Housing" initiative provides grants and low-interest loans to preserve and develop affordable housing, with a particular focus on low-income communities of color. By integrating financial support and community-focused strategies, it exemplifies a holistic approach to addressing housing and systemic inequities. 

  3. Enterprise Community Partners funds and supports affordable housing projects that integrate health, education, and economic mobility services. Their initiatives, like the Green Communities program, promote sustainable and equitable housing solutions nationwide.

  4. The Kresge Foundation invests in holistic housing projects that integrate affordable housing with community services, including healthcare and education. Their Detroit Program focuses on revitalizing neighborhoods through cross-sector partnerships and resident engagement.