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Events

On campus and online, we host dozens of events each year to examine important housing policy issues. In addition to seminars, lectures, and panel discussions here at Harvard, we convene conferences and symposia around the country, bringing together housing practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. Please sign up for our email list at the bottom of this page to hear about upcoming events, and visit YouTube to watch videos of past events.

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Mar 6
For sale sign in front of a home.

Did Mortgage Rate Locks Lead to Rising House Prices?

Meyer Fellow and PhD candidate Justin Katz will discuss research he did with Robert Minton exploring whether homeowners locked into below-market, fixed-rate mortgages chose not to move to avoid higher borrowing costs, and to what extent this may have contributed to the sharp rise in home prices.
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
12:15–1:15 pm ET
Virtual
Mar 5
Kenzie Bok and rendering of Faneuil Gardens housing complex.

The Past, Present, and Future of Public Housing: Dunlop Lecture with Kenzie Bok

In the 25th Annual John T. Dunlop Lecture, Kenzie Bok, Administrator and CEO of the Boston Housing Authority and former Boston City Councilor, will bring together her experiences as a pioneering public housing administrator and intellectual historian to explore the past, present, and future of public housing in the US.
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
6:30 pm ET
Hybrid
Feb 27
Group reviewing competition proposals in a modern space.

Using Design Competitions to Improve the Quality of Housing: A Roundtable Discussion

Susanne Schindler will discuss her recent working paper about how design competitions can address the shortcomings of housing development and design services procurement processes. A roundtable with Boston-area practitioners will follow.
Fri, Feb 27, 2026
12:00–1:30 pm ET
Virtual
Feb 26
Couple looking at real estate listings online.

Digital Gossip and Neighborhood Value: How AI Captures the Perceptions That Shape Neighborhood Premiums

Beyond property characteristics, a neighborhood's reputation—or the informal "gossip" and social narratives circulating online—shape its economic value. University of Pennsylvania associate professor Elizabeth Delmelle will discuss work-in-progress exploring whether AI systems can help us quantify these intangible "vibes.”
Thu, Feb 26, 2026
12:00–1:00 pm ET
In Person
Feb 20
Homes in a mountain town.

Understanding the Rapid Rise in Rural Home Prices

Home prices in rural areas rose at an unprecedented pace during the pandemic. Center researchers Alexander Hermann and Peyton Whitney will discuss their recent working paper which examines the types of communities where prices increased the most and the effects on long-time residents and seasonal workers with lower incomes.
Fri, Feb 20, 2026
12:30~1:30 pm ET
Virtual
Feb 13
Students taking notes at a conference room table.

Information Session on Fellowships and Research Grants

Join us for an overview of fellowships and research grants for Harvard students, including several community service summer fellowships that support Graduate School of Design and Kennedy School students working at public and private entities in the US.
Fri, Feb 13, 2026
2:00 pm ET
In Person
Feb 6
New construction multifamily housing.

Rising Insurance Costs + Limited Equity Cooperatives: Research from Our 2025 Gramlich Fellows

Ariella Amit will discuss how community-based organizations (CBOs) are responding to the rising cost of property insurance for multifamily housing, and Zack Lively will discuss how CBOs are developing limited equity cooperatives to preserve or create permanently affordable housing. 
Fri, Feb 6, 2026
12:15–1:30 pm ET
Virtual
Dec 18
Woman at reception desk welcoming two visitors in an office lobby.

How Communities Layer Resources to Prevent Homelessness: Insights from Detroit and the Bay Area

Eviction prevention and homelessness prevention programs continue to be some of the most valuable tools available to help people avoid losing their housing. Understanding the continuum of support and how resources can work together is critical—especially in resource constrained environments.
Thu, Dec 18, 2025
3:00 pm ET
Virtual
Nov 20
Denver mayor Mike Johnston.

Delivering Denver's Historic Reduction in Unsheltered Homelessness: A Discussion with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has led ambitious efforts to move thousands of people experiencing homelessness into housing through programs that have become national models for collaboration and measurable results. He will reflect on Denver’s progress, lessons learned, and the challenges ahead in pursuing sustainable housing and health solutions.
Thu, Nov 20, 2025
3:15 pm ET
In Person
Nov 18
Multifamily housing under construction.

Affordable Housing Finance: Strategies, Challenges, and the Way Forward

Massachusetts and the nation are at a pivotal moment for affordable housing. Join us for a discussion on the evolving landscape of affordable housing finance, from emerging policy models and the impacts of current federal disruptions to actionable strategies for supporting mixed-income and low-income housing across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Tue, Nov 18, 2025
4:00 pm ET
Virtual

Please sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page to learn about new events as they are announced.

Our Mission

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies strives to improve equitable access to decent, affordable homes in thriving communities. We conduct rigorous research to advance policy and practice, and we bring together diverse stakeholders to spark new ideas for addressing housing challenges. Through teaching and fellowships, we mentor and inspire the next generation of housing leaders.

About Us
Older woman walking in a leafy neighborhood.
Family sitting together.