Opportunity Zones

The OZ program unleashed billions in private capital. Whether it lifts neighborhoods or just investors hinges on who’s steering the money and how well they can navigate the system. Now that Congress has made OZs permanent, the stakes are even higher.

The law raises funding for LIHTC, but steep cuts to social programs will more than outweigh the benefits. Here’s a look at what’s in the tax law, along with a second bill that would slash housing funding if passed.

Turner has recently been focused on education policy, but worked on Opportunity Zones under the first Trump administration.

Reusing shipping containers for housing has been discussed for years. In West Palm Beach a whole affordable apartment building will be built out of them.

Some guidelines to ensure that Opportunity Zones are transformational and not transactional.

Who will benefit most from these investments remains the biggest question.

With Opportunity Zones, the potential is there for great benefit, but it is not yet clear where, how, and to whom any benefits will accrue. People who care about connecting residents and businesses in distressed communities with opportunities need to act now so they fulfill their promise.

States have a deadline to submit their Opportunity Zones nominations. What factors will be weighed in the decision process, and what will federal designation mean to distressed neighborhoods?