The coal mining industry created a skilled labor force and resilient distribution network in Appalachia, but its decline has stranded assets and left many struggling to find work. As we consider how best to transition these workers to a post-coal world, it is clear there is a critical gap in American manufacturing they can fill.

As you probably know, America is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), 580,000+ people are experiencing homelessness on any given night, while 70% of all extremely low income families pay more than half their income on rent. The NLIHC estimates that only 57 rental units are affordable and available for every 100 very low-income renters.