University of Denver Launches Hub for Housing Innovation
The generous support of four philanthropic organizations equips the Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions to support partners in tackling the region’s most-pressing housing challenges.
The University of Denver has announced the Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions, a new interdisciplinary hub dedicated to addressing the complex housing challenges facing Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. The Center’s creation is made possible by a collective $2.65 million in philanthropic gifts from four visionary organizations: Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), ZOMA LAB, Conscience Bay Research, and Arnold Ventures.
The Center is positioned to become the region’s leading authority for housing research, data-driven policy evaluation, and professional education. Its core mission is to foster vibrant, sustainable communities by developing innovative solutions across the entire housing continuum, from affordable to market-rate.
It will operate on a hub-and-spoke model, with DU as the administrative and coordination hub. Central to its mission is actively engaging partners — including academic institutions, public agencies, and industry leaders — to collaboratively shape and advance a shared research agenda. By working together, the Center and its partners will ensure that the region’s most pressing housing needs are addressed through relevant, actionable research and joint initiatives that reflect the collective expertise and priorities of the region.
Philanthropic Gifts Lay the Groundwork for Transformational Housing Innovation
The launch of the Center is powered by the foundational support of its four initial donors, who share a commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening communities. Their collective investment provides critical seed funding to establish the Center’s core functions and begin its vital work. Additionally, the Simpson family, founders of the real estate investment firm Grand Peaks, and CHFA played an essential role by providing early support to establish a new Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing. This professional education program is a core element of the Center’s mission. Together, these contributions have created a strong foundation for transformational housing innovation in the region.
“We see the Center as critical infrastructure for Colorado’s housing ecosystem,” says Ben Walton, principal of ZOMA LAB. By investing early, we aim to help establish a trusted, non-partisan platform where policymakers, practitioners, industry leaders, and researchers can work from a shared information hub to enhance housing supply and affordability across the state.”
CHFA Executive Director and CEO Thomas Bryan adds: “CHFA’s investment in DU’s Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions will support greater access to affordable housing. Through research, data analysis, and professional development, the Center will help shape a future where more Coloradans have the opportunity to thrive.”
A Region in Need of Tailored Solutions
The Rocky Mountain West is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, and with that growth comes significant pressure on housing. Denver now ranks among the top U.S. cities for housing shortages and its unhoused population. These challenges signal a systemic need for region-specific knowledge and data-informed strategies.
“Sustainable housing solutions are best achieved when we work side by side with our partners across the region,” says Susan Daggett, executive director of DU’s Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute at the Sturm College of Law. “At the Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions, we are committed to delivering rigorous, locally grounded research that supports effective policies for our communities.”
As a premier R1 research institution, DU is uniquely positioned to lead this effort. The new Center will leverage the university’s deep expertise in real estate, land use law, public policy, and social work to produce a dynamic research agenda to support partners influencing housing policy at local, regional, and national levels.
Core Priorities for a Sustainable Future
The Center will focus on three core priorities to achieve its mission:
- Research and Policy Evaluation: The Center will conduct rigorous, data-driven analysis to assess the impact of housing policies and explore novel solutions. This includes utilizing tools, like UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation Housing Policy Simulator, to model the effects of different policies on housing production.
- Market Analytics and Data Hub: By creating a robust regional data library, the Center will democratize access to critical housing information. It will publish regular market reports and an annual “State of Housing in Colorado” report, becoming the trusted source for housing data in the region.
- Education and Leadership Development: The Center will train the next generation of housing professionals through DU’s undergraduate and graduate programs. It will also offer executive education, workshops, and professional development, including the Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing, to equip current regional leaders with the skills needed to tackle today’s housing challenges.
“By focusing on research, data, and education, we can create a comprehensive approach to solving housing challenges,” says Vivek Sah, director of DU’s Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management.
The Path Forward
Modeled after successful housing centers on the coasts at UC Berkeley, NYU, and Harvard, the Center is customized to meet the specific needs of the Rocky Mountain West. Its establishment marks a critical step toward building a more responsive, efficient, and equitable housing system in the region.
“Success for the Center is about becoming a trusted source of insight and practical solutions for the Rocky Mountain West,” explains Sah. “By grounding our work in thorough data and robust analysis, we can help the region anticipate challenges, expand housing supply, address affordability, and build communities where families truly have the opportunity to thrive.”
Chancellor Jeremy Haefner emphasizes DU’s role in driving the region’s economic vitality and the impact the Center will have on the public good, a key component of The Denver Difference campaign.
“The University of Denver is proud to play a central role in driving economic growth and opportunity in our region,” says Chancellor Haefner. “Thanks to the foundational support of our philanthropic partners, the Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions will be an essential engine for progress, securing a more resilient and prosperous future for Colorado and beyond.”
