2023 Hack-A-House Prompt
Submissions should design or conceptualize an innovative solution that aims to reduce housing costs in one of three categories: Construction & Design, Finance, and Policy & Regulatory Reform. Cost reductions can come from any part of the housing value chain - from permitting and construction to financing and regulatory issues.
Successful submissions will clearly articulate the following:
What aspect of housing you are addressing and how your idea could lead to increased cost savings.
The overall impact of your cost savings on housing.
This can be as simple as words on a slide stating where your solution’s cost savings come from and how much money or time might be saved by implementing your solution. If desired, you can build a business or financial model to illustrate cost savings as well.
Keep in mind that housing costs vary across different geographic regions and take them into account as you present your solution.
One winner will be selected from each of the three categories: Construction & Design, Finance, and Policy & Regulatory Reform. When submitting your finished slides, you will be asked to specify the category within which your submission fits best.
The judges are looking for presentations that clearly articulate:
The housing issue that you are addressing, including a clearly defined population and geographic area of focus.
Your solution to that problem and a clear path to implementation. This would include illustrating financial viability and design aspects if applicable.
We suggest using both presentation slides and appendices. Your slides should be your pitch; tell us why your idea is innovative, and get the judges excited about your solution. In your appendices, include any additional technical details that may help the judges understand the feasibility of your solution.
Hack-A-House 2023
Your final deliverable will be a presentation with an overview of your idea, and a 3-minute pitch to our judges, September 23rd, via Zoom.
Submissions are due on Saturday, September 23rd at 9:00am MST at hackahouse.org. After submitting, join the zoom channel at 9:30am to pitch to our judges live. This will give you the opportunity to see what other teams have come up with.
Winners will be announced at 1:15pm MST on September 23rd on the Hack-A-House Zoom channel. You should have received the link for the competition in an email, please contact us if you don’t have the link.
Please let our team know if you have any questions. We will be available on Zoom or by email.
Happy Hacking!
Anna Dorn (anna@ivoryinnovations.org)
Abby Ivory (abby@ivoryinnovations.org)
Judging Criteria
Innovation & Uniqueness (5 points):
Creative problem solving or process improvement to stretch the boundaries of what had previously been developed. Is this proposal different from others that have presented today or ideas that are currently being used in the market?
Scalability (5 points):
Ability to be replicated effectively and has the potential to have a national impact in numerous markets
Feasibility (5 points):
The proposal could be developed provided realistic starting costs, policy barriers, and other constraints
Adherence To Prompt (5 points) :
Submission follows the general guidelines of the prompt. Does the proposal lower the cost of housing and take issue areas into account?
20 Points Total
Submission Instructions
To upload your presentation, go to hackahouse.org and fill out the form on the homepage.
Each team may submit only one entry. Please select one person on your team who will be responsible for submitting for the entire team.
A complete submission includes a slide deck and a live pitch of your idea. Pitches should be no longer than 3 minutes. Presentations will only be accepted if they are on time and complete.
At least one member of your team needs to be on Zoom at 9:30 am MT September 23rd to pitch to the judges LIVE. If you are not online when your team name is called, then you will lose the opportunity to present.
You will be able to see the order of your team’s presentation during the judging session on this Google sheet at 9:30am MST on September 23rd.
The judges are looking for slides that clearly articulate:
The housing issue that you are addressing, including a clearly defined population and geographic area of focus.
Your solution to that problem and a clear path to implementation. This would include illustrating financial viability and design aspects if applicable.
We suggest using both presentation slides and appendices. Your slides should be your pitch; tell us why your idea is innovative, and get the judges excited about your solution. In your appendices, include any additional technical details that may help the judges understand the feasibility of your solution.