The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funded 2.5 million to establish this Research Center of Excellence for Innovation in Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (CIAHSC).  The CIAHSC involves core strategic partners: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Marquette University (MU) and Morgan State University (MSU). And engage with industrial and community partners, such as the City of Greensboro, the American Planning Association, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro, and Community Housing Solutions. The CIAHSC’s research focuses on affordable housing, senior citizens, quality homes, vacant buildings, sustainable communities, and post-disaster recovery. The CIAHSC proposes to quarterly bring Thought leaders on the issues under study in our center and have a Think Tank to produce policies and White Papers that will be disseminated to cities, communities, and other mission-oriented agencies that work in underserved communities. The CIAHSC plans to have workshops and conferences that will target the stakeholders in the underserved communities, city and community government, and academia. Ultimately, the CIAHSC's goal is to influence local and national policy changes that would move underserved communities into deserving and healthy communities characterized with accessible and affordable healthy homes, healthy senior citizen homes, vibrant economies, and safe environments.