The Housing Summit's inaugural Detroit Economic Mobility Breakfast, scheduled for November 18, 2025, has reached full capacity, demonstrating significant interest in addressing housing as a catalyst for economic mobility. The 25-person working session at the Shinola Hotel's San Morello Private Room will convene senior leaders from policy, community development, philanthropy, finance, and technology to develop Detroit-specific solutions for housing challenges. This Detroit edition builds on previous Housing Summit gatherings in Hong Kong and New York City, continuing a global conversation about housing affordability and innovation. The Hong Kong launch in May 2025, hosted by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Asia Ltd., initiated international dialogue on affordability, innovation, design, AI in housing, and modular construction.
The series continued in September 2025 with a fully subscribed New York City gathering that explored affordable housing as both meaningful impact and exceptional investment opportunity. Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, emphasized the summit's collaborative nature, stating it brings together state and local partners to align tools, capital, and community leadership for equitable housing opportunities across Detroit. The moderated roundtable will focus on three core themes: economic mobility through housing strategies that improve income stability and build credit; community-led delivery through land trusts and adaptive reuse; and partnerships combining public, private, and philanthropic resources with technology integration.
The session will specifically address how artificial intelligence is reshaping homeownership access and housing finance while guarding against bias in historically excluded communities. Participants will also examine challenges facing Community Development Financial Institutions and identify responses to maintain capital flows to mission lenders. Karen L. Gamba, founder of The Housing Summit, noted that the goal is for every participant to leave with at least one actionable solution and follow-up conversation already in motion, describing the initiative as a growing community committed to turning insight into implementation. The curated gathering draws policy and civic leaders, developers, impact investors, community land trust practitioners, philanthropic partners, and technology experts.
Rooted in Detroit's innovation with adaptive reuse and community ownership models, the summit focuses on practical implementation that can be replicated in other cities. Andrea Benson of the Gilbert Family Foundation highlighted how stable, affordable housing empowers Detroit families to face uncertainty with confidence and how long-term homeownership tools can build a stronger, more resilient city. Although the Detroit breakfast is at capacity, interested stakeholders can join the waitlist or learn more about future events through The Housing Summit's website at https://www.thehousingsummit.com. The organization plans to expand to additional cities following Detroit, with Los Angeles identified as the next location for continuing the work of creating tangible housing and economic outcomes through strategic partnerships and decision-making.
