Stuart J. Mitchell, President and CEO, PathStone Corporation

Challenge: To rebuild deteriorating housing and employment opportunities in Puerto Rico's Route 123 Heritage Area, amid a crumbling infrastructure and shrinking tax base that have crippled the ability of local governments to meet needs.

Rollin Wood, executive director, Native Partnership for Housing

Challenge: The Navajo Nation covers more than 27,000 square miles. Seventy percent of those living in the nation earn less than $15,000 per year. Many banks will not lend to residents of sovereign Native American Nations out of fear they will not be able to foreclose on delinquent loans.

Roland Chupik, Executive Director, Neighborhood Housing Services of Oklahoma City

Sheila Rice, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Great Falls

Kevin O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer, RUPCO

Chris Donnelly, Director of Community Relations, Champlain Housing Trust

Rick Goodemann, CEO, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership

Katie Bowman, Executive Director, Housing Resources of Western Colorado

Mike Loftin, Chief Executive Officer, Homewise, Inc.

Dennis Oshiro, Executive Director, Hawaii HomeOwnership Center

Challenge: Due to the high cost of homes, condominiums can be an affordable alternative for low-income families. But with costly down payments, pricy mortgage insurance and strict FHA requirements, it can be difficult for first-time homebuyers to secure loans for these purchases.