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Round 2 Underway: See Who’s Advancing in the Challenge

The 2026 cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge drew an extraordinary collection of innovations from across the country from organizations competing for five $2 million grants.

Between April 1 and May 15, organizations submitted 871 total applications. The response to the Breakthrough Challenge exceeded expectations, reflecting both the urgency of the nation's housing affordability crisis and the strength of solutions emerging to address it.

Following a rigorous review process, 39 semifinalists are moving to Round 2 of the Breakthrough Challenge.

Congratulations to the Round 2 Semifinalists

We commend the organizations advancing to Round 2 and all those who brought forward proposals to improve how housing is built, financed, and delivered in communities across the country.

Design and Construction

  • Alt-Mod, LLC.
  • Composite Recycling Technology Center
  • Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity
  • Habitable
  • Infilla
  • Kit Switch, PBC
  • LifeArk, SPC
  • Memphis Housing Lab
  • MRK Partners, Inc.
  • Nahata Foundation, Inc.
  • Red Cloud Renewable
  • Shortstack Housing LLC
  • Spartan Industries
  • Urban Awnings Housing

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Finance

  • ASIAN, Inc.
  • Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises
  • The Fuller Center for Housing, Inc.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, Inc.
  • Hogar Hispano, Inc.
  • Housing Partnership Network, Inc.
  • Neighborhood Finance Corporation
  • Purpose Built Communities Foundation, Inc.
  • Solar and Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County, Inc.
  • St. Bernard Project, Inc.
  • Thomasville Community Development Corporation
  • Trust Neighborhoods

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Service Delivery and Programs

  • Boston Medical Center Corporation
  • The Community Builders, Inc.
  • Community Rebuilds
  • Connective
  • Fort Lauderdale Community Development Corporation
  • Housing Connector
  • Invest Newark
  • The Jesse Tree of Idaho
  • The Kelsey
  • Merritt Community Capital Corporation
  • Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Inc.
  • President and Fellows of Harvard College
  • United for Brownsville

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What's Next

Round 2 of the Breakthrough Challenge is now underway. Our 39 semifinalists will continue through this next phase of the competition, further demonstrating the potential, scalability, and proven impact of their housing solutions.

Round 3 finalists will be announced in November 2026 and will have the opportunity to pitch their innovations to a panel of judges. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight how past winners of the Breakthrough Challenge are making an impact and shaping the future of housing affordability.

Learn More about the Challenge
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A Place that Feels Like Home

For people reentering the community after long prison sentences, finding a place to live can feel impossible. Breakthrough Challenge winner Impact Justice designed a solution that matches formerly incarcerated people with homeowners who have a spare room and a desire to help someone come home with dignity. To date, none of the 300 participants have returned to prison.

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