about
CONVERGENCE
& THE KNOWLEDGE
HUB
Homeownership fosters pride, community connection, and well-being. It is also the primary pathway to building wealth for most people.
Unfortunately, barriers keep homeownership out of reach for too many people. But, with the right support, more aspiring buyers could seize the opportunity to become homeowners. That’s where CONVERGENCE can help.
Launched by the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2019, CONVERGENCE is a bold initiative to expand homeownership through innovative community partnerships. It is grounded in the simple idea that we can achieve more when we leverage our collective strength.
Expanding Impact
The CONVERGENCE Collaborative
Building on the demonstrated success of CONVERGENCE, the Mortgage Bankers Association joined with other industry partners to scale the initiative through the CONVERGENCE Collaborative, which launched in 2024. The CONVERGENCE Collaborative deploys resources to expand the impact of CONVERGENCE by establishing new place-based initiatives, replicating successful programs, and sharing best practices.
Cities & Lead Partners
CONVERGENCE operates place-based initiatives in cities where mission-aligned local nonprofit organizations serve as lead partners. Serving as the local face and voice of the initiative, these organizations play a central role in fostering collaboration among stakeholders across the housing ecosystem to identify and address the unique housing challenges in their communities.
Our Locations and Lead Partners
FAQs
What is CONVERGENCE?
CONVERGENCE is an initiative launched in 2019 by the Mortgage Bankers Association to expand homeownership through innovative, community partnerships. CONVERGENCE addresses barriers to homeownership by bridging four gaps:
Information Gap: Combat the myths and misperceptions about homeownership
Trust Gap: Address reluctance of consumers to trust financial institutions
Resource Gap: Maximize availability and awareness of affordable lending programs and products
Market Gap: Develop strategies to address housing inventory challenges
Which cities currently participate in CONVERGENCE?
CONVERGENCE operates place-based initiatives in Memphis, TN, Columbus, OH, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD. In each city, a mission-aligned local nonprofit organization serves as the lead partner, playing a central role in fostering collaboration among stakeholders across the housing ecosystem.
What types of partners participate in CONVERGENCE?
CONVERGENCE brings together local stakeholders like lenders, real estate professionals, housing counselors, community development corporations, local government, housing finance agencies, and others, along with national partners including data providers, home builders, and housing trade organizations. All stakeholders participate in solution design across all gap areas, rather than being confined to traditional roles or narrow areas of subject matter expertise.
Is CONVERGENCE a “one-size-fits-all” program?
No, rather than prescribing specific programs, CONVERGENCE aligns stakeholders, cultivates collective action, and builds local capacity, empowering communities to develop tailored strategies that strengthen existing programs and test innovative solutions. Those solutions are in the areas of education and outreach; lending programs and products; housing supply – including new construction and renovation/rehab; and preservation and sustainability.
What is the CONVERGENCE Collaborative?
Launched in 2024, the CONVERGENCE Collaborative is a group of leading industry stakeholders working to leverage their expertise, thought leadership, and financial investment to expand the impact of CONVERGENCE by scaling successful programs, supporting new initiatives, and sharing best practices.
What is the CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub?
The CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub is a centralized resource hub designed to equip housing professionals with insights, tools, and practical resources to expand access to homeownership.
Who is the CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub for?
It is designed for housing professionals, including nonprofit organizations, lenders, real estate practitioners, and other practitioners and community leaders working to expand homeownership opportunities.
What is the goal of the CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub?
The goal is to share evidence-based solutions, foster collaboration, and provide actionable guidance to help expand access to homeownership.
How is the CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub different from other resource hubs?
The CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub is grounded in real-world, field-tested solutions developed through CONVERGENCE partnerships, with a focus on practical, replicable strategies.
What types of resources are available?
The CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub features case studies, research, practitioner insights, tools, templates, and updates on events and initiatives.
What is the Market Profile Dashboard and how can I use it?
The Market Profile Dashboard is an interactive tool that provides insights into local housing markets and conditions. It can be used to identify trends, understand local challenges, and develop targeted, data-driven strategies to inform decision-making and expand homeownership.
How can I apply the resources from the CONVERGENCE Knowledge Hub in my community?
Resources are designed to be practical and adaptable, offering guidance that can be tailored to local needs. Many include implementation insights, lessons learned, and examples of measurable outcomes to help practitioners track progress, refine strategies, and strengthen impact over time.