HomeBanx operates in the affordable housing sector, focusing on providing sustainable and affordable housing through community land trusts (CLTs). Our mission is to lower housing costs, ensure long-term affordability, and support underrepresented communities such as Black women and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. As we scale, managing and securing our data becomes increasingly critical.

We face the challenge of managing vast amounts of data, including documents, contracts, project files, and financial records, all while ensuring data security and compliance with industry standards. This project aims to leverage cloud technology to address these challenges effectively.

The main objective of this project is to leverage cloud technology to build a centralized, scalable, and secure data storage and management system for HomeBanx. This system will enhance our ability to manage documents, contracts, and project files while ensuring data security and compliance with industry standards. Additionally, the project aims to integrate digital payments, blockchain, AI valuation tools, crowdfunding platforms, and smart contracts to streamline operations and increase transparency.

Problem Statement: HomeBanx, operating in the affordable housing sector, faces the challenge of managing a vast amount of data, ensuring data security, and complying with industry regulations. This includes documents, contracts, financial records, and project files. The current data management practices are not scalable or efficient enough to support the growing needs of the organization. Additionally, there is a need to streamline financial transactions and ensure transparency in property dealings.

Expected Outcome: By the end of the project, learners are expected to deliver a fully functional cloud-based data storage and management system that centralizes all organizational data. This system should be scalable, secure, and compliant with relevant regulations. The project will also integrate digital payment automation, blockchain for property transactions, AI for real-time property valuations, crowdfunding platforms, and smart contracts. The outcome will significantly improve data management efficiency, security, and operational transparency for HomeBanx.

Technological Requirements:

1. Data Security:

• Implement encryption for data at rest and in transit.
• Establish strong access control mechanisms to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.
• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.

1. Compliance:

• Leverage cloud providers’ compliance certifications and frameworks to meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure the solution supports data governance policies and practices.

1. Digital Payments:

• Automate lease and mortgage payments to streamline financial transactions.
• Integrate with existing financial systems and ensure secure payment processing.

1. Blockchain:

• Utilize blockchain technology to ensure transparency and security in property transactions.
• Implement smart contracts to simplify and secure lease agreements and mortgage terms.

1. AI Valuation Tools:

• Provide real-time property valuations using AI-driven tools.
• Ensure the integration of AI tools with our data repository for seamless access and analysis.

1. Crowdfunding:

• Raise funds through community engagement platforms integrated with our data management system.
• Track and manage crowdfunding campaigns and investor contributions.

1. Smart Contracts:

• Simplify and secure lease agreements and mortgage terms using smart contract technology.
• Ensure smart contracts are stored and managed within the centralized data repository for easy access and auditing.

Project Plan:

1. Initial Setup (50 hours):

• Configure the cloud environment and set up the centralized data repository.
• Implement basic security measures and access controls.

1. Data Migration (40 hours):

• Migrate existing documents, contracts, and project files to the cloud.
• Ensure data integrity and verify successful migration.

1. Scalability and Optimization (30 hours):

• Configure scalable storage solutions and optimize performance.
• Test scalability features and adjust settings as needed.

1. Security Enhancements (30 hours):

• Implement advanced security measures, including encryption and regular audits.
• Establish compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

1. Integration with Existing Systems (50 hours):

• Integrate digital payment systems, AI valuation tools, and blockchain technology.
• Set up crowdfunding platforms and smart contracts.

Tech Stack:

1. Cloud Infrastructure:

• Provider: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Services:
• Compute: AWS EC2, Azure Virtual Machines, or Google Compute Engine
• Storage: AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage, or Google Cloud Storage
• Database: Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, or Google Cloud SQL

2. Data Management:

• Data Warehouse: Amazon Redshift, Azure Synapse Analytics, or Google BigQuery
• ETL Tools: Apache Nifi, Talend, or AWS Glue

3. Security and Compliance:

• Identity and Access Management: AWS IAM, Azure AD, or Google Cloud IAM
• Encryption: AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or Google Cloud KMS
• Compliance: AWS Artifact, Azure Compliance Manager, or Google Cloud Compliance

4. Digital Payments and Blockchain:

• Payment Gateway: Stripe, PayPal, or Square
• Blockchain: Ethereum, Hyperledger, or IBM Blockchain

5. AI and Machine Learning:

• AI Platforms: AWS SageMaker, Azure Machine Learning, or Google AI Platform
• AI Tools: TensorFlow, PyTorch

6. Web and Mobile Development:

• Frontend Frameworks: React, Angular, or Vue.js
• Backend Frameworks: Node.js, Django, or Spring Boot
• Mobile Frameworks: React Native, Flutter, or Ionic

7. Smart Contracts and Crowdfunding:

• Smart Contracts: Solidity, Chaincode for Hyperledger
• Crowdfunding Platforms: Custom built with Web3.js, Truffle, and Metamask integration

8. DevOps and Monitoring:

• CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI, or GitHub Actions
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes
• Monitoring: Prometheus, Grafana, or AWS CloudWatch

9. Project Management and Collaboration:

• Project Management: Jira, Trello, or Asana
• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace

10. Community Engagement:

• Community Platforms: Discourse, Tribe, or custom solutions with integrations to social media platforms

Expected Outcomes:

• A centralized, scalable, and secure data repository accessible from anywhere.
• Enhanced data security and compliance with industry standards.
• Streamlined financial transactions through automated digital payments.
• Increased transparency and security in property transactions via blockchain.
• Real-time property valuations using AI tools.
• Simplified and secure lease agreements and mortgage terms through smart contracts.
• Effective management and tracking of crowdfunding campaigns.