Roots Investment Community Tackles Housing Crisis With Unique Wealth-Building Model

Funding cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have left many housing projects at a standstill, impacting workforce and affordable housing developments across the country, but there are still private investors working to keep some of these projects going.

The Roots Investment Community founded by Daniel Dorfman in 2021 is one example of a private investment solution working to fill the gap as HUD cuts plunge projects into uncertainty.

Roots has rapidly grown to include over 11,300 investors. The company uniquely allows non-accredited investors to participate, with a minimum investment of just $100. This community-focused initiative aims to provide financial growth opportunities for renters while tackling the housing crisis in the Atlanta area.

Dorfman emphasizes that “everyone deserves the basic right of housing,” and is committed to empowering residents by creating a means to build wealth.

Roots distinguishes itself by offering innovative strategies that help renters accumulate wealth, mirroring efforts by other tech-forward real estate platforms like Arrived and Landa. By focusing on affordable and workforce housing, Roots bridges the gap between investing and renting, promoting a financially inclusive environment.

Recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a 2024 Pacesetter, Roots has already provided homes for more than 700 residents and plans to extend real estate investment opportunities to one million renting families by 2028. Their “Live in it Like You Own it” program incentivizes residents to take care of their homes, further intertwining community investment with communal housing efforts.