Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Research Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through its Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), is administering the Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Research Grant Program under NOFO number FR-6900-N-29R. This program aims to provide competitive cooperative agreements to support high-quality research on the persistent and evolving housing affordability crisis across the United States. The total amount available under this funding opportunity is approximately $10 million, combining FY2024 and FY2025 appropriations. HUD anticipates making between 5 and 40 awards, ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000 per project. Eligible projects must have a performance period between 12 and 36 months, with a strong preference for initial deliverables within the first 12 months to ensure timely policy impact. The program specifically seeks to fund research projects that align with one of five designated research categories: government-induced demand and housing affordability, immigration and housing affordability, the financialization of housing, economic opportunity cost and housing affordability, and opportunity zones. Each of these categories addresses distinct dimensions of the housing affordability crisis, from public policy effects on housing demand to the economic implications of real estate investment trends and federal development initiatives. The research must produce actionable insights and recommendations that inform federal, state, and local housing policy. HUD emphasizes the need for deliverables that include research briefs, preliminary findings, and policy toolkits early in the performance timeline. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizational types: public and private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, and specific minority-serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Faith-based organizations may also apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. No cost-sharing or matching is required for this opportunity. Applications will be reviewed for compliance with statutory and regulatory eligibility and must meet all application format and content guidelines. Applicants are required to submit their application via Grants.gov by the deadline of July 24, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time. The application package must include standard forms (SF-424, HUD-424B, SF-LLL if applicable, HUD-2880), a detailed budget (HUD-424-CBW and HUD-426 if claiming indirect costs), and various narrative components (project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, references, resumes of key personnel, and letters of commitment). Narrative submissions are limited to a total of 35 pages and must be formatted using standard font and spacing guidelines. Applications must be complete, accurate, and submitted on time to be considered. Applications will undergo a three-tier review process consisting of threshold, merit, and risk reviews. The merit review evaluates five criteria: contribution of proposed research (20 points), soundness of approach (30 points), capacity of the research team (20 points), project management (20 points), and budget reasonableness (10 points). A minimum score of 70 out of 100 is required for consideration. HUD reserves the right to adjust award amounts, select fewer or more awardees, and consider geographic and programmatic distribution. The anticipated award date is September 15, 2025, with project start dates expected on or after October 1, 2025. For questions regarding the program or the application process, applicants should contact Michael Stewart at researchpartnerships@hud.gov or 202-402-2258. Applicants needing a waiver for paper submission may contact Carol Gilliam at the same email address. Technical assistance regarding Grants.gov submissions is available through the Grants.gov Support Center.

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