Nikki Merkerson
Manager, Economic and Housing Policy, Washington Bureau, National Urban League
Nikki Merkerson is a real estate matchmaker and shared housing specialist committed to creating pathways to affordable homeownership. As the founder of Urban Leisure, a Brooklyn-based co-living company, Nikki has developed and tested shared housing models that offer sustainable solutions that create affordable living options.She also leads Pairgap, an innovative platform that connects co-buyers to pool resources for property ownership, making homeownership accessible to more people.With 23 years of experience in financial services, Nikki’s career includes serving as a Community Reinvestment Officer at JP Morgan Chase, where she built partnerships with public and private entities across major cities to drive economic opportunity. In her role, she collaborated with city, state, and government agencies, and community organizations to expand access to financial education, develop sustainable housing initiatives, and reach underserved communities. This background, combined with her entrepreneurial work in shared housing, underscores Nikki’s mission to help others build wealth through co-ownership and innovative real estate solutions.