New Report: Affordable Housing Trust Fund research completed by UNC Morehead Cain Scholars

Community Investment

In summer 2024, our latest cohort of Morehead Cain Scholars completed new research on the City of Memphis’ Affordable Housing Trust Fund and presented their findings to Mayor Paul Young and his executive leadership team. The resulting research report and presen t ation include insights on Memphis’ current housing landscape and challenges, how peer cities have developed sustainable funding for similar programs, and strategies to build awareness and support for Memphis’ Affordable Housing Trust Fund with local stakeholders.

Innovate Memphis has been a proud partner and host site for Morehead Cain Scholars’ summer internships for many years. The Morehead Cain Scholarship is among the most prestigious programs for emerging student leaders at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and focuses on immersive service learning experiences beyond the classroom. Past scholar teams have contributed to a variety of projects in Innovate Memphis’ portfolio including our recent Transit Funding White Paper and strategy development for our food security programs.

The link to the full research report is provided below and will support a comprehensive fund development strategy led by the City’s Division of Housing & Community Development and supported by BLDG Memphis, a coalition of local nonprofit community development organizations. The Scholars who authored this research report are Josie Blackman, Charles McCain, Lulu Sasz, Dani Simon, and Derrian Wilson.