HUD Announces $20 Million in Research Grants to Address Housing Affordability and Spur Innovation

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through its Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), has announced two new funding opportunities offering up to $20 million in competitive research grants to address the housing affordability crisis and support innovative housing solutions.

“These grants reflect HUD’s continued commitment to evidence-based policy and housing innovation,” said John Gibbs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.

Funding Opportunities Now Available

Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Research Grant Program

This grant supports research in five key areas influencing housing affordability:

• Government-Induced Demand
• Immigration
• Financialization of Housing
• Economic Opportunity Costs
• Opportunity Zones

HUD seeks proposals that will deliver timely, policy-relevant findings, with early outputs encouraged within the first year.

Advancing Building Technology Grant Program

This program funds research on how innovative building technologies can increase housing supply. Focus areas include:

• Post-Disaster Housing Recovery
• HUD Code Reform
• Offsite and Emerging Technologies
• Innovative Financing
• Artificial Intelligence for Regulatory Relief

The program aligns with the January 20, 2025, Presidential Memorandum on reducing the cost of living and expanding housing supply.

How to Apply

Applications are due by July 24, 2025. Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities. Full details are available at Grants.gov.

For more information about these funding opportunities, visit HUD User.