The America at Home Study is a national research initiative that examines how Americans want to live today—and how housing design, construction, and policy can better align with real household needs. Drawing on consumer research, market analysis, and built case studies, the study provides a data-driven framework for rethinking housing delivery across affordability, livability, and long-term value. Its findings directly inform the Housing Innovation Challenge, grounding student proposals in real-world demand and helping teams move beyond speculative design toward solutions that are desirable, buildable, and scalable.

In alignment with the America at Home framework, the Challenge guides teams to design for three key demographics:

• Gen Z (a recent college graduate just starting out)

• Millennials (two working parents balancing careers and children),

• Boomers (move-down households seeking to age in place)