Minnesota has developed an affordable housing sector considered by many to be second to none, starting with sound stewardship by the state housing agency and extending to intermediaries who push and prod to engage and address challenges as they arise, local and regional government leaders committed to creating affordable housing, and a host of community-based organizations that both produce and advocate for affordable housing — all underpinned by generous philanthropy that very early on recognized the importance of stable and affordable housing to the success of families. Moreover, the state’s sector has a clear vision of affordable housing. it is not just a structure in which to live, but a platform to increase family stability and link families to opportunities through access to transportation, education, employment and healthy lifestyles. In Minnesota, affordable housing also strives to be energy efficient and green. Yet at this moment when our state’s affordable housing sector is as fully realized as ever, various economic, demographic, and political forces have converged to make “homes for all” even more elusive. If we had unlimited resources, our solution might be clear: simply ramp up production. But we live in a resource-constrained world, driven by questions about whether every dollar is used for the maximum benefit of people served. The availability of subsidized affordable housing is just one of several factors leading to outcomes like those above. Funders such as The McKnight Foundation want to understand how efforts in the affordable housing sector add up to better outcomes for families, linking families to economic opportunity and greater self-sufficiency. We review the sector’s capacity, operating environment.