Shortages of affordable housing remain a problem for urban areas throughout the country. One popular remedy is to promote homeownership opportunities among low- and moderate-income and minority households. This article will discuss the problem of affordable housing shortages and its importance in urban development. Then, it will illustrate how homeownership can be used as a tool for urban development, examining both historical and contemporary applications. Finally, the analysis will evaluate the success of these initiatives in urban development and discuss the policy implications of emphasizing homeownership initiatives as urban development tools.