The challenge will award at least one breakthrough idea in each of the three focus areas. There are no defined number of awards.

The challenge is following HUD’s definition of a rural area: a place having fewer than 2,500 inhabitants; a county or parish with an urban population of 20,000 inhabitants or less; any place with a population not in excess of 20,000 inhabitants and not located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Here are profiles of our 2020 Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge winners. This video also features the story of our first-cycle winners and their innovations. 

Funds may not be used to support lobbying activities.