Explainers

Housing and community development can be complex, and no one is an expert on every corner of it. Even the experts sometimes have trouble breaking down what they know for others. Shelterforce explainers will help you introduce yourself to new topics, and explain key points and frequently asked questions to others. Have a topic you’d like covered in an explainer? Send it to [email protected].

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A painting, mostly in shades of blue, showing a group of people of all ages, genders, and races, building a shelter together in a wooded area. The sky is stormy and dark, and it is raining out, but light shines down on the shelter being built, illuminating the people around and inside of it. A figure covering their head with a blue denim jacket approaches in the foreground. A figure stepping out of the shelter waves to them in greeting.

Series Guide: Shelter in a Federal Storm

May 27, 2026 | Miriam Axel-Lute

Start here to navigate our series on state and local strategies that are being deployed at a time when federal action is largely blocked.

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A drawing of a house with a red roof and a red path leading from door is accompanied by text explaining reasons why shared-equity homeownership makes sense in weak-market areas. Image links to pdf version.
The Answer

Q: What’s the Point of Shared-Equity Homeownership in Weak Market Areas?

February 12, 2013 | Shelterforce

Shared-equity homeownership is best known as a tool to fight displacement in hot-market areas. But in fact, it has many advantages in weak-market areas too.

Does shared-equity homeownership build assets? Yes. And keeps them safer than traditional homeownership does. Various graphs and charts follow to back up this assertion. Image links to pdf version.
The Answer

Q: Does Shared-Equity Homeownership Build Assets?

October 10, 2012 | Shelterforce

A: Yes! And keeps them safer than traditional homeownership does.

Did the housing crisis prove that low-income people can't be successful homeowners? No! Infographic follows showing delinquency and foreclosure rates for two at-scale low-income homeownership lending programs, which are below the general population. Image links to pdf version.
The Answer

Q: Did the housing crisis prove low-income people can’t be successful homeowners?

July 22, 2012 | Shelterforce

No! Two at-scale, long-term lending programs show that if the process is done right, low-income homeowners can be as successful as prime borrowers–or more.