Strategic Initiative | Housing Affordability

Overview & Impact Area Update 

Housing affordability is a critical issue in the Triangle region, impacting both individuals and the overall economic health of the area. Recent population growth and related surge in demand has driven up housing prices dramatically, making it increasingly challenging for many to find affordable places to live. This lack of affordability especially affects essential workers like teachers, service industry employees, and young professionals, potentially forcing them to commute long distances or even leave the area, impacting the region’s workforce and overall quality of life.    

The lack of affordable housing also poses significant challenges to economic competitiveness and growth. Businesses rely on a stable and accessible workforce, and when employees struggle to find affordable housing, it can lead to decreased productivity, increased employee turnover, and difficulty attracting and retaining talent. Furthermore, a lack of affordable housing options can exacerbate social inequities and contribute to increased homelessness and poverty within our region.    

Addressing housing affordability is crucial for the long-term sustainability and success of the Triangle. It requires a multifaceted approach, including increased investment in affordable housing development, zoning reforms to encourage diverse housing options, and policies that support homeownership for low- and moderate-income families.  

Through this strategic focus on housing affordability, Triangle Community Foundation seeks to leverage its unique assets to make an impact in the Triangle. Grantmaking is one tool we will use to support nonprofit organizations in the Triangle who are addressing housing affordability through a variety of approaches.

 

Grantmaking

We are pleased to offer one-year grants supporting Triangle housing affordability non-profits. Funding will support general operations of organizations that support housing affordability initiatives across the Triangle. We anticipate making a total of 20 awards through this call for proposals. The goals and funding strategies for this 2026 cycle of the Housing Affordability grant program are outlined below: 

• Program Goals
  • Securing land for affordable housing
  • Increasing rental housing supply at 80% AMI and below 
  • Supporting/stabilizing low-income homeowners 

• Funding Strategies
  • Fund organizations increasing the number of low-income rental units on the market, primarily through preservation of existing rental housing and other identified strategies 
  • Fund organizations that prevent displacement of homeowners making 80% AMI or below who bought their homes before January 1, 2020 through efforts such as home repairs, property tax relief, and other identified strategies 
  • Fund organizations that are working with community partners to acquire and/or commit existing land for long-term affordable housing development 

Eligibility

• Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations based in and serving one or more Triangle Counties (Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham)
• Have a track record (at least 3 years) of addressing housing affordability challenges in the Triangle 
• Organizations must meet the Foundation’s non-discrimination policy (see application)
• Only one application per organization will be considered 

Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment of organization’s current/planned housing affordability initiatives/programming with program goals and community needs
• Organization’s track record of delivering initiatives and programming that aligns with program goals
• Commitment to equity and community engagement
• Organization’s financial health 

We will seek to have a grantee cohort that reflects a diversity of housing affordability strategies aligned with our three pillars, and represent the four counties Triangle Community Foundation serves (Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake). 

Information Session

Have questions? Join our information session webinar on Thursday, September 24th at 1:00pm.

Click here to register!

Timeline

Call for proposals open	Monday, September 14, 2026
Applications deadline	Friday, October 16, 2026
Grantees announced	Friday, December 11, 2026