Language
English (en)
Publication Date
6-16-2026
Summary
Owning a home has long been the most common way for American families build wealth—but for low- and moderate-income families, the route is rarely open and rarely simple. And handing a family the keys does not guarantee that the house will become an asset. This report sets out to answer a hard question: Can homeownership deliver lasting wealth to the families who have been locked out of it the longest, and what does it take to make that happen? This study presents findings from the first national evaluation of the Habitat for Humanity Wealth Building Project. The report examines how the specific support systems built into the Habitat model—including its affordable mortgage designs, unique program components, and long-term homeowner engagement—can turn a house into a lasting foundation for financial resilience and intergenerational opportunity.
Document Type
Research Report
Category
Thriving Communities
Subarea
Inclusive Housing
Original Citation
Chun, Y., Chy, S., Evans, L., Mei, X., & Roll, S. (2026). Paths to stability and wealth: Evidence from the Habitat for Humanity Wealth Building Project (CSD Report No. 26-40). Washington University, Center for Social Development, and Habitat for Humanity International. https://doi.org/10.7936/w9p5-s022
Keywords
Habitat for Humanity ; United States ; housing ;
Recommended Citation
Chun, Y., Chy, S., Evans, L., Mei, X., & Roll, S. (2026). Paths to stability and wealth: Evidence from the Habitat for Humanity Wealth Building Project (CSD Report No. 26-40). Washington University, Center for Social Development, and Habitat for Humanity International. https://doi.org/10.7936/w9p5-s022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7936/w9p5-s022