From Surviving to Thriving: Rethinking Housing and Wealth in Our Communities

Rethinking the Future of Housing: A Community-Based Solution

In a recent Miami Herald article, social entrepreneurship professor Dr. Heather Cameron emphasized the urgent and expanding crisis of economic immobility in America. The piece, “Most Miamians live paycheck to paycheck. This researcher has some ideas to help” by Max Klaver (July 17, 2025), strongly advocates for redefining our understanding of wealth, the role of housing, and how local communities can take charge of their future.

At Annum, we were thrilled to see this kind of thought leadership gain nationwide recognition. Dr. Cameron’s work aligns with what many of us in housing, community development, and local economic planning have long recognized: the system isn’t broken—it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do. And if we want a different outcome, we need to change the system.

The good news? We can. And in many places, we already are.

What’s Really Holding People Back?

As Dr. Cameron emphasizes, an increasing number of working Americans are spending over a third of their income on rent. In Miami-Dade County alone, over half of the residents live paycheck to paycheck. Forget building wealth—many hardworking middle-income families are simply trying to get by.

The root issue? The economy has shifted from rewarding work to rewarding ownership. People who own real estate, stocks, or businesses are thriving. But for those relying on wages, the climb is getting harder—and the steps are farther apart.

That’s why housing sits at the heart of this conversation. A stable, affordable home isn’t just a monthly expense—it’s a foundation for everything else: health, education, economic mobility, and personal opportunity.

But the impact extends beyond individuals. When essential and middle-income workers—like teachers, nurses, first responders, hospitality staff, and city employees—can’t afford to live in the communities they serve, the entire local economy suffers. High turnover, staffing shortages, burnout, and business instability are not just unfortunate side effects—they are direct results of a housing system that no longer meets the needs of the community.

Stable housing doesn’t just benefit the person paying the rent or mortgage. It strengthens neighborhoods, supports local businesses, and keeps communities whole.

Community Wealth Building Is Working—Let’s Do More

Dr. Cameron highlights community wealth building as a powerful path forward for cities and towns to regain local control. It’s about ensuring that the resources that influence daily life—homes, businesses, land, and investments—are managed by and for the people who live there.

That could include community banks that reinvest locally, employee-owned businesses that keep jobs and leadership, or anchor institutions like hospitals and universities shifting their procurement to support neighborhood vendors. However, one of the most proven and transformative tools in this movement is the community land trust (CLT).

For communities interested in exploring CLTs and permanently affordable housing models, Burlington Associates in Community Development has been a trusted guide for over 30 years. Their mission is rooted in a practical, values-driven approach to equitable development—one that protects public and charitable investments in housing, promotes long-term affordability, and centers community voices in decision-making.

In short: CLTs are more than just an idea—they are a proven model for maintaining affordability, expanding access to homeownership, and preserving community integrity. They provide a practical way to keep public investments in public hands, help working families stay rooted, and ensure neighborhoods remain strong over the long term.

Housing as Infrastructure, Not Investment

One of the key shifts Dr. Cameron advocates is to stop viewing housing mainly as an investment vehicle. When homes are bought and sold like stocks, residents are pushed out of their neighborhoods. Families face displacement, and public institutions such as schools and hospitals become destabilized, harming local economies.

At Annum, we believe that stable, affordable homes are vital community infrastructure. Just like roads, water, and public schools, housing is essential for thriving communities. It shouldn’t be reserved for those with extra capital or treated like a private asset to be flipped for profit. It should be the foundation that allows people to live, work, and contribute to the places they call home.

This pattern isn’t isolated to high-cost coastal markets; it’s nationwide. From rural towns to resort areas to large cities, treating housing as a speculative asset is draining communities. It’s unsustainable. That’s why we created Annum.

As Cameron puts it, “If the goal is not just capital appreciation on the house, we can get more people into high-quality, stable housing.”

That vision is exactly what we’re working toward.

This isn’t about rejecting homeownership or economic growth. It’s about asking: growth for whom? Ownership on what terms? And how do we ensure that the people who make our communities run can afford to live there too?

Local Employers: A Critical Partner in Housing Solutions

We believe that local employers are a critical leg of the stool when it comes to solving regional housing challenges, working alongside community land trusts, local governments, and economic development organizations. However, they are often left isolated, trying to address the problem alone or resorting to short-term, piecemeal solutions like purchasing a few apartments, offering stipends, or bonuses.

The result? Doubling efforts, wasting resources, and competing over limited housing. The only winners there are landlords.

Today, housing prices drive career decisions. Across the US, rising costs have become one of the main barriers to attracting and keeping talent. Qualified candidates are turning down job offers; not because the pay isn’t competitive, but because they can’t find housing within a reasonable commute. This impacts business productivity and raises costs.

This is a systemic challenge, and it demands a collective response.

When employers collaborate with CLTs, community-based organizations, and regional leaders, they can drive lasting change. Together, they can expand access to stable, affordable housing, foster economic growth, and make their region a magnet for talent and innovation.

The Power of Collective Impact

The Miami Herald article focuses on Miami, but the dynamics are playing out in towns and cities across the country. From Aspen to Asheville, Buffalo to Big Sky, communities are all asking the same question: Who gets to live here?

At Annum, we believe the solution is in collective impact. No single organization or policy can solve the workforce housing crisis. But when local employers, governments, CLTs, CDFIs, health systems, and resident leaders collaborate with a shared strategy, the landscape changes.

We’ve seen it firsthand. When shared equity is prioritized and local partnerships are built with trust, neighborhoods become more resilient. Children don’t have to switch schools midyear. Workers aren’t forced into long commutes. Small businesses can keep the same team year after year.

That’s what stability looks like. And it’s what we’re fighting for.

From Idea to Action

As Dr. Cameron notes, these solutions don’t require massive federal spending. They need local coordination, technical expertise, and a willingness to rethink what’s possible. 

From Portland, where a community group turned a mall into a resident-owned small business hub, to Kansas City, where businesses are shifting to employee ownership—people are showing what’s possible when we focus on long-term stewardship rather than short-term gain. 

These aren’t just feel-good stories; they’re blueprints for change.

A Shared Vision for the Future

We’re grateful to the Miami Herald and Dr. Cameron for sparking this national conversation. And we’re even more grateful to be in community with the people turning these ideas into action—whether you're running a CLT, leading an HR team, or organizing in your neighborhood.

Real wealth doesn’t trickle down. It’s built—deliberately, cooperatively, and locally. One home, one business, one neighborhood at a time.

Explore More

• Read the full article: Miami Herald – Too many Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This researcher has some ideas to help (July 27, 2025)

• Learn more about Burlington Associates in Community Development

FAQ: Community Wealth and Housing Solutions

What is a community land trust (CLT)? 

A CLT is a nonprofit organization that holds land in trust for the public good. It enables residents to buy homes without purchasing the land, keeping prices affordable permanently and preventing displacement.

How do local employers benefit from solving housing challenges?

Stable housing improves workforce retention, reduces turnover, and makes a region more attractive to potential hires. When workers can live near their jobs, everyone—from schools to businesses—benefits.

What does it mean to treat housing as infrastructure?

It means recognizing that housing, like water, roads, or electricity, is essential for a healthy community. When housing is stable and affordable, everything else—health, education, economic growth—improves.

How can communities start a CLT or housing initiative?

Organizations like Burlington Associates offer technical assistance, strategic planning, and long-term support. Annum partners with communities to help build the relationships and structures needed to turn ideas into action.

What is Annum’s role in this work?

Annum helps communities design, coordinate, and implement housing strategies that prioritize affordability, equity, and long-term impact. We work with CLTs, employers, payers, and regional leaders to build shared solutions.