Recent research emphasizes the urgent need to improve affordable housing accessibility, safety, and quality while addressing poverty and economic mobility. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on US affordable housing construction. Our study focused on barriers and enablers of affordable housing construction in Upstate New York through interviews with ten construction industry professionals. We identified obstacles like funding shortages, regulatory complexities, and administrative hurdles. Enablers included increased advocacy, strategic tax credit use, and reduced zoning restrictions. Although a housing supply-demand imbalance persists, emerging solutions and collaborative efforts signal a promising, equitable, and sustainable future.