Amazon launches $2b housing equity fund

Amazon.com Inc. has made a $2 billion commitment to preserve existing housing and create inclusive housing developments through below-market loans and grants to housing partners, traditional and nontraditional public agencies, and minority-led organizations.

“Amazon has a long-standing commitment to helping people in need, including the Mary’s Place family shelter we built inside our Puget Sound headquarters. The shelter now supports over 200 women and children experiencing homelessness every night,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “This new $2 billion Housing Equity Fund will create or preserve 20,000 affordable homes in all three of our headquarters regions — Arlington, Puget Sound and Nashville. It will also help local families achieve long-term stability while building strong, inclusive communities.”

The first investments include $381.9 million in below-market loans and grants to the Washington Housing Conservancy to preserve and create up to 1