Ivory Innovations, an operating foundation and research center based at the University of Utah, announced the 25 finalists for the 2026 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability.
From construction robotics and modular manufacturing to creative financing mechanisms and landmark policy reforms, each of the finalists offer innovative, practical, and scalable solutions that are designed to make homeownership more accessible for American families.
“There is no silver bullet for our nation’s housing crisis, but this year’s Ivory Prize finalists are delivering proven solutions to the diverse set of challenges that keep costs high,” says Chad Reed, vice president of programs and strategy at Ivory Innovations. “In a fragmented, risk-averse housing industry, the Ivory Prize exists to elevate what works so others can learn from these great solutions and examples and replicate them at scale.”
Now in its eighth year, the Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability has awarded more than $1.5 million to innovators working across the housing ecosystem.
Winners will be selected across three categories: Construction & Design, Finance, and Policy & Regulatory Reform, with $300,000 awarded to advance the most impactful solutions. Selections are made by Ivory Innovations’ Advisory Board, a group of experts representing disciplines across the housing ecosystem.
In the Construction & Design category, finalists are reimagining everything from how homes are manufactured to how the workforce that builds them is trained. The eight finalists include:
- BoulderMOD
- Build Reuse
- Canibuild
- Coalfield Development: Revitalize Appalachia
- Okibo
- SoLa Impact: Model/Z
- TradesFutures
- Type Five
Finance category finalists are creating new pathways to fund affordable housing development and expand access to homeownership. The eight finalists include:
- City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing: Boston Acquisition Fund
- Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
- Head Start on Housing
- Illinois Housing Development Authority: Access Plus
- MassHousing: BILD Program
- Nestment
- Oro
- Safehold
Policy and Regulatory Reform finalists are proving that systemic change is possible at every level of government. The nine finalists include:
- Atlanta Urban Development Corporation
- City of Chattanooga: Affordable Housing PILOT
- City of New Rochelle: Downtown Development
- City of Philadelphia and Housing Initiative at Penn: PHL Housing+
- City of Philadelphia: Eviction Diversion Program
- Montana Land Use Planning Act
- State of Colorado: Innovative Housing Incentive Program
- State of New York Division of Homes and Community Renewal: MOVE-IN NY
- The Other Side Village
Ivory Innovations will announce the winners and runners-up on May 12. Read more about each of the housing innovators here.
