Your Investment at Work | UnidosUS

Empowering Latino Homeownership through the HOME Initiative 

Our community has long believed in the power of homeownership as a path to economic stability, a place for gatherings with loved ones and an investment in our children’s futures. Homeownership is also one of the strongest predictors of health outcomes, educational attainment and other indicators of well-being.  

Thanks to donors like you, UnidosUS launched the Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) initiative in 2023 to transform the economic trajectory of Latino families and create 4 million new Hispanic homeowners by 2030. Over the next 20 years, the Urban Institute — one of our partners in the initiative — forecasts that Latinos will be 70% of net new homeowners and key to the future success of our nation’s housing market.  

While Latinos have made meaningful economic gains, systemic barriers persist and deny many in our community the opportunity to fulfill their dream of buying a home. For example, according to the FDIC, Latinos experience higher loan denial rates and higher interest rates when approved than whites, even when controlling for credit score, loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios. Thus, HOME is tackling systemic change in the housing arena, with a focus on developing and advancing legislation that removes barriers and promotes policies aimed at improving homebuyer readiness, expanding access to credit, increasing housing supply and preserving homeownership. 

Since its launch, and with your invaluable support, the HOME initiative has: 

• Activated in six markets with strong Latino populations and housing opportunities, specifically to support Latino mortgage readiness: Washington, DC; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Stockton, CA; Phoenix, AZ; and Orlando, FL.   

• Awarded $1.1 million in grants to Affiliates and other organizations working to address America’s housing supply crisis. 

• Convened national and local leaders, community advocates and housing experts. 

• Hosted a national competition designed to elevate and expand innovative approaches to address the shortage of affordable homes for purchase in the U.S.

To learn more: https://unidosus.org/homeownership/