Strong communities from the ground up
©2016—September by Grounded Solutions Network. All Rights Reserved. For additional booklets, contact Hello@GroundedSolutions.org.
Our Story We’re Grounded Solutions Network, a national nonprofit membership organization, launched in 2016.* At Grounded Solutions Network, we know what policies and strategies work to build and preserve housing opportunities, and we help communities use them. We bring together an extensive network of partners and member practitioners from local communities who have a deep understanding of best practices in community land trusts, shared equity housing, local housing policies such as inclusionary zoning, and more. Together, we agree that when communities are diverse and equitable, everyone benefits. It starts with a stable home. We promote housing solutions that will stay affordable for generations, so communities can stabilize and strengthen their foundation, for good.
Our Mission Grounded Solutions Network cultivates communities – equitable, inclusive and rich in opportunity – by advancing affordable housing solutions that last for generations.
Our Vision We seek a future where everyone has access to a home they can afford in an economically and racially diverse community of opportunity, fostering better health, academic and economic outcomes.
* Grounded Solutions Network was formed to combine the energy and expertise from the
National Community Land Trust Network and Cornerstone Partnership into a single organization.
Our Approach Our experience has shown us that positive change happens when strong housing policies and programs are in place. Our members and clients are in different locations, geographically, and in their needs. We meet them where they are and guide them to where they want to be.
Collective Learning
Research
We connect people to share best practices, overcome challenges and nurture innovation and new approaches.
We conduct research that provides the empirical basis for our work and explores emerging ideas.
Tools & Resources
Policy Change
We provide the building blocks that strengthen housing programs so homes can stay affordable for generations.
We work with policy makers, elected officials and their staff at all levels to explore options and provide policy solutions.
Technical Assistance We identify solutions and share best practices to help programs succeed.
Our Programs Our holistic and practical programs connect communities with tools and strategies that have been proven to work, enabling practitioners and policy makers alike to create impact and bring about the change they seek.
Capacity Building We’re the leading providers of technical assistance, training, tools and resources for many kinds of affordable homeownership programs. We help our members and partners take the long view, fine tuning their programs for maximum impact and developing new technology to help better manage data and programs.
HomeKeeper With our innovative technology solution, we help housing professionals streamline the way they manage and report on their homeownership program data so they can more efficiently run their programs and measure their impact.
National Policy We know that national policies have a critical impact on the ability of members to succeed. We analyze public policy, coordinate private-public partnerships, build coalitions and make strategic connections to improve the policy environment for local programs.
Research We champion research projects on best practices, innovations and industry results to better serve our members’ needs and advance the field. We bring together researchers, academics and graduate students, from all over the country to publish and distribute emerging research in various publications.
State & Local Policy We help communities understand and assess the housing policy options available to them and provide technical assistance to adopt sound strategies and implement them effectively.
Our Reach Our work spans the nation (and beyond in some cases) bringing our programs and expertise into countless communities, a few of which are highlighted here. We provide research, direct assistance and best practices to create choice and opportunity for all – both today and for future generations.
Seattle Our team worked with city officials, housing advocates and Homestead Community Land Trust to promote inclusive housing policies that were adopted citywide. This “inside/outside” approach proved an effective model and is being replicated nationwide.
Austin Our subsidy investment calculation tool demonstrated to HomeBase and Austin Habitat for Humanity the value of preserving affordability in their increasingly hot market and helped them re-commit to making Austin’s homes affordable for generations to come.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul Using our Inclusionary Calculator, the Twin Cities were able to determine which combination of incentives and requirements were feasible to promote the private development of mixed income housing in their communities.
Vermont We supported Champlain Housing Trust to lead a statewide coalition using HomeKeeper to harness the power of shared data. The coalition secured funding and support for more permanently affordable housing in Vermont.
Washington, D.C. We helped community land trust (CLT) homeowners hone their storytelling and leadership skills, and accompanied them on 60 Capitol Hill visits, resulting in renewed access to HOME funds for CLT homeownership programs nationwide.
Legend
Research
Policy Change
Technical Assistance
Tools & Resources
Collective Learning
Our Network At the heart of our work is the national network of members, allies, practitioners, and communities we serve.
Join Us When we foster connections and share best practices, it helps us all work more effectively. Building connections is one of the key ways we advance the national movement towards equitable communities. Grounded Solutions Network members and allies solidify their commitment to this vision and join a passionate community of people who are dedicated to increasing our collective impact. ď‚„ Learn more at GroundedSolutions.org/Membership.
Work With Us Our team works with cities and municipalities to assess policy needs and make recommendations to help empower local communities. Our expertise helps ensure communities stay intact and affordable for all. ď‚„ Contact us at Hello@GroundedSolutions.org for more information.
Visit GroundedSolutions.org
Learn More MyHomeKeeper.org InclusionaryHousing.org
Contact Hello@GroundedSolutions.org 503.493.1000