NC Affordable Housing Conference: The Road to Housing -Innovation, Equity, and Community in NC

At the Affordable Housing Conference last week, Dr. Jenny Schuetz highlighted something many of us feel every day: the U.S. hasn’t built enough homes in over 15 years. And the barriers aren’t just financial—they’re regulatory, from zoning rules to dimensional limits that make innovation harder.

At Moya Design Partners (MOYA) , this reality has become our creative challenge. Affordable housing doesn’t mean building less; it means designing smarter. Working closely with our clients, we see their mission as our own—whether it’s a nonprofit serving seniors, a developer building for multigenerational families, or a community organization advocating for equity. Together, we find solutions that make dignity and affordability possible side by side.

In the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, we’ve designed housing that embraces seniors, women who suffer from domestic violence, and multigenerational households, because affordability is not one-size-fits-all. Each community deserves design that reflects its story, culture, and needs. In Raleigh, we’re extending this work—tailoring our approach to the local context while staying rooted in our core belief: design can unlock opportunity.

This is where creativity matters most. When zoning rules feel rigid, when costs threaten to shrink the vision, we lean into innovation—rethinking layouts, material strategies, and partnerships so projects can thrive.

The data on underbuilding is daunting, but the policy landscape is shifting. The newly introduced ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 (Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing) is a step forward, tackling barriers with financing reforms, preservation incentives, and measures that expand supply. It’s proof that federal action, paired with local design innovation, can create real momentum.

If the past 15 years left us behind, the next 15 can look different—if we choose to collaborate boldly, design responsibly, and push for reforms that open doors instead of closing them.

That’s the work that excites me most. Not simply adding units, but creating homes that build equity, community, and possibility. Learn more at www.moya.us and let’s connect.

#AffordableHousing #DesignMatters #Construction #UrbanDesign #CommunityBuilding #WashingtonDC #Raleigh