On July 13, 2021, the Partnership for Strong Communities hosted its second IForum event of 2021, "Housing Strategies for Wealth-Building in Communities of Color". Over 150 people from across Connecticut gathered to watch and participate in this important conversation on how policymakers can narrow the racial wealth gap through housing.

Click here to watch the July 2021 IForum, "Housing Strategies for Wealth-Building in Communities of Color".

The event began with an introduction from Kiley Gosselin, Executive Director of the Partnership for Strong Communities. Next, the first keynote speaker of the event, Dr. Jenny Schuetz of the Brookings Institution, gave a presentation on the racial wealth gap, and the pros and cons of homeownership as a wealth-building strategy in communities of color. Next, keynote speaker Thalia Giraldo presented on the findings of her recent report, Building a More Equitable Homebuying System, which was released through the Partnership for Strong Communities' Research Associates Program.

Finally, the two keynote speakers and invited panelists engaged in a discussion on strategies for wealth-building and housing equity in Connecticut communities. The panel discussion included:

• Jenny Schuetz, Senior Fellow - Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
• Thalia Giraldo, Associate Director of Innovation Initiatives, Trinity College, and Connecticut-based housing researcher
• Julian Pierce (moderator), Manager - Economic Opportunity Program, Fairfield County's Community Foundation
• Karraine Moody, Chief Executive Officer, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity
• Chris Troxell, Senior Vice President - General Auditor, Liberty Bank

We'd like to thank our keynote speakers and panelists for participating in such an engaging event. We would also like to thank the sponsors for the 2021 IForum Series: The Connecticut Department of Housing, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, and the Melville Charitable Trust. In addition, we are sincerely grateful to Liberty Bank for being the Presenting Sponsor of the July 2021 IForum.

Finally, we'd like to thank everyone who came to listen, learn, and participate in the July 2021 IForum. We hope to bring you at least two more IForums before the end of the year. If you would like to be the first to know when the next IForum is announced, make sure to sign up for our emails at this link.

Below, you can find resources and materials related to the July 2021 IForum:

Recording of the July 2021 IForum

Presenter Slides - Jenny Schuetz

Presenter Slides - Thalia Giraldo

Recent Report from Jenny Schuetz: Rethinking homeownership incentives to improve household financial security and shrink the racial wealth gap

Recent Report from Thalia Giraldo: Building a More Equitable Homebuying System