We are proud to announce that our Affordable and Sustainable Housing Development (ASHD) Graduate Track has been named a 2025 recipient of the Community First® Developer Program Grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Launched in Fall 2024, the ASHD Track is a specialized 12-credit graduate program within the Graaskamp Center for MS and MBA students pursuing careers in affordable housing across private, nonprofit, and public sectors. The curriculum integrates affordable housing finance, sustainability, policy, and applied development projects taught by industry professionals, while introducing students to key tools such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.
With support from the grant, the ASHD Track is launching the UW Housing Scholar Program (UWHSP), which funds paid internships for UW–Madison students with affordable housing developers, finance organizations, and community development partners across Wisconsin and Illinois. These placements provide hands-on exposure to the full development process while helping address workforce needs in the affordable housing sector.
The first two UW Housing Scholars supported by the grant are Anders Brekke, placed with The Commonwealth Companies, and Connor Nowakowski, placed with New Year Investments. Their internships highlight the program’s focus on experiential learning and professional mentorship.
- UW Housing Scholar Program (UWHSP) Internship Recipients
- Connor Nowakowski (MBA ’27)
- Anders Brekke (MS ’26)
Paul Aylesworth, Director of the Affordable and Sustainable Housing Development Track, expressed appreciation for the grant’s impact. “We are grateful to FHLBank Chicago for investing in our students and in the future of affordable housing. This support gives students fantastic applied experience working directly with industry leaders and helps prepare them to become impactful leaders in the affordable housing sector.”
As housing affordability challenges intensify nationwide, the ASHD Track and UW Housing Scholar Program position the Graaskamp Center at the forefront of preparing real estate leaders committed to innovative and impactful housing solutions. The Graaskamp Center extends its sincere thanks to FHLBank Chicago for its generous investment in students and communities.