Posted on March 24, 2025
Post categories: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Faculty News Real Estate
Apartment building in South Seattle
What does it really mean for housing to be affordable? In Affordable Housing in the United States, authors Gregg Colburn and Rebecca Walter, Associate Professors in the Runstad Department of Real Estate at the College of Built Environments, explore this important question. Their book dives into how we define affordable housing, the history behind it, the policies that shape it, and the real-world challenges people face when housing is out of reach.
Colburn and Walter’s book is more than just an academic resource—it’s a guide to understanding the true impact of affordable housing on our society. They look at the affordability gap in different regions and for different income groups, showing how current policies have failed to meet the growing need. “Affordable housing is not just a policy issue—it’s a matter of equity,” Colburn explains. “To make real change, we need to understand the complexities of how housing affects different communities.”
One of the standout parts of the book is the case studies from cities across the United States. These stories bring the issue to life, showing how local policies and market conditions play out in real communities. Walter adds, “The stories we tell in this book are not just data—they are real lives. Housing is a foundation for everything, and when it’s not accessible, it impacts people’s ability to thrive.”
The book also includes a roadmap for the future of affordable housing in the U.S., outlining different paths the country can take. “The choices we make now will define the future of housing,” says Colburn. “We have an opportunity to change how we approach this issue, but we have to act now.”
This book is an essential resource for students, policymakers, and anyone interested in making a positive impact on the affordable housing crisis. It’s being used in Colburn’s affordable housing class this quarter and is helping to teach the next generation about how we can create solutions to this pressing issue.
Ken Yocom, Dean of the College of Built Environments, says, “Gregg and Rebecca’s research is a vital contribution to addressing the affordable housing crisis. It highlights how our College tackles real-world challenges and demonstrates how research can lead to lasting change, creating a future where everyone has access to a home.”
Learn more about our undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in Real Estate.