AREUEA Policy Forum

The AREUEA Policy Forum aims to build bridges between research and policy making in real estate and urban policy.

Panel Discussion: "Opportunity Zones: How Have they Changed and How Are They Working?”

December 5, 2025 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm CT | AREUEA National Conference

• Participants
• Dr. Kevin Corinth, Senior Fellow, Deputy Director Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility, American Enterprise Institute
• Gray Lusk, COO and Co-Founder, SoLa Impact
• Jason Watkins, Partner, Novogradac & Company LLP
• Dr. Alexander Van De Minne, University of Connecticut
• Moderator
• Dr. Rachel Meltzer, Harvard University

Policy Forum Registration Link

Featured Research:

Where is the opportunity in opportunity zones?
By Alan Sage, Mike Langen, Alex van de Minne

Resources:

General Information and Maps

• Opportunity Zones–IRS
• Opportunity Zones–EIG

Academic Research:

Are Opportunity Zones an Effective Place-Based Policy?
By Kevin Corinth and Naomi Feldman 

In the land of OZ: designating opportunity zones
By James Alm, Trey Dronyk‑Trosper and Sean Larkin 

The Impacts of Opportunity Zones on Zone Residents
By Matthew Freedman, Shantanu Khanna and David Neumark 

Neighborhood-Level Investment from the U.S. Opportunity Zone Program: Early Evidence
By Patrick Kennedy and Harrison Wheeler

Reports and Tools:

Learning from Opportunity Zones: How to improve place-based policies, Brookings Institution
By Hilary Gelfond and Adam Looney 

Novogradac Opportunity Zones Mapping Tool
Novogradac Opportunity Zones Resource Center 

How did the One Big Beautiful Bill Act change Opportunity Zones?, Brookings
By David Wessel

The Impact of Opportunity Zones on Private Investment and Economic Activity
By Kevin Corinth and Naomi Feldman 

Opportunity Zones Need to Be Retooled to Achieve Impact, Urban Institute
By Brett Theodos and Brady Meixell

Media:

Congress Is Subsidizing the Wrong Neighborhoods
By Kevin Corinth and Naomi Feldman 

Opportunity Zones Are a Big Success. Let’s Make Them a Lot Bigger.
By Steven G. Glickman and Jonathan Tower 

New Research Adds to Evidence That Opportunity Zone Tax Breaks Are Costly and Ineffective
By Jean Ross

The AREUEA Policy Forum aims to build bridges between research and policy making in real estate and urban policy.