Communities across the country are turning to community‑owned and shared equity real estate models to meet their permanently affordable housing needs.
Research shows that long‑standing models—such as housing cooperatives and community land trusts—can strengthen housing stability, build resident and community wealth, and generate a range of social and economic benefits.
However, with a stronger and more coordinated data infrastructure, communities could gain deeper insight into where and how these models advance racial equity, prevent displacement, and support broader economic development goals.
The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF)’s Affordable Housing Initiative has been exploring what data infrastructure is needed to document the impact of shared equity housing and help practitioners leverage data as they work to expand permanently affordable housing.
Join us on Friday, March 27 from 2-3 p.m. EDT to:
1. Learn from New Research – Hear a presentation from the Urban Institute on the current state of shared equity housing data and recommendations for strengthening data infrastructure.
2. Explore Equity-Focused Data Approaches – Gain insights from outreach and discussions on approaches and key data sources to assess whether—and how—shared equity models are advancing racial equity and community goals.
3. See Data in Practice – Explore how practitioners can use organizational and public data to establish baselines; support decision-making; communicate value to funders; and visualize community needs, development activities, and policy priorities.
Meet our speakers
Dylan Cohen
Senior Program Manager, Communities of Opportunity | Jonathan Rose Companies
Dylan Cohen is a Brooklyn-based equity-driven affordable houser focused on building community and resident power. At Jonathan Rose Companies, he co-leads resident service oversight and relations across 19,000 units. As a consultant, Dylan is a shared-equity housing researcher and facilitator. Dylan earned his master’s degree in City Planning from MIT and a bachelor’s degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Winnipeg.
Vedette R. Gavin
Founder and Principal | Verge Impact Partners
Vedette R. Gavin is the Founder and Principal of Verge Impact Partners (VIP) a public health equity consulting firm that cultivates community-led research, strategy and leadership to create healthy, equitable and just communities. Rooted in participatory methods, VIP combines community engagement and rigorous research to build community power, foster collaboration and change narratives, systems and policy.
Olivia Ildefonso
Co-Founder & CEO | North Arrow
Olivia Ildefonso, Ph.D., is a critical geographer and activist who has spent 15+ years using data, maps and storytelling to advance social impact. She co-founded North Arrow in 2023 to make geospatial intelligence accessible to nonprofits and foundations driving community change. She began her career at ERASE Racism, leading Inclusive Housing and Education Equity initiatives, authoring key research reports, and conducting demographic research supporting successful housing discrimination settlements. Olivia is chair of S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth’s Board of Directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Ph.D. from the CUNY Graduate Center, with an Advanced GIS Certificate from Hunter College.
Brett Theodos
Director, Center for Local Finance and Growth | Urban Institute
Brett Theodos is the director of the Center for Local Finance and Growth at the Urban Institute. He is a leading researcher in mission finance, small business outcomes, place-based development and housing as a wealth-building tool. Dr. Theodos serves on the board of directors with the Center for Community Progress, the Douglass Community Land Trust, Grounded Solutions Network, and the Housing Authority of Prince George’s County, Maryland.