Roberto Quercia

Roberto Quercia is the Trudier Harris Distinguished Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He specializes in housing policy, community development, and mortgage finance, particularly focusing on low-income homeownership, predatory lending practices, and financial service accessibility. His research has informed policy reforms and has been supported by entities like HUD, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. Quercia co-authored key publications including Regaining the Dream (2011) and A Place Called Home (2017). He leads the UNC Center for Community Capital and is affiliated with the Center for Urban and Regional Studies.

His work bridges academia and practice, with a focus on mitigating housing disparities through evidence-based interventions. Current projects include analyzing post-pandemic mortgage assistance programs and evaluating the long-term impacts of subprime lending on marginalized communities. Quercia teaches courses on housing policy, real estate finance, and urban planning, emphasizing the interplay between economic systems and social equity.

Research highlights include studies on unemployment’s impact on mortgage defaults, the role of community reinvestment programs, and the socio-psychological benefits of homeownership. His articles frequently address regulatory failures, spatial inequality, and innovative solutions for sustainable housing access. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his distinguished professorship underscores his academic leadership and contributions to the field.