Guide for Developing Housing on County-Owned Land
This guide outlines how counties can strategically use their own vacant or underutilized land to help address the nationwide shortage of affordable housing. It walks county leaders through a structured process: identifying suitable parcels, evaluating zoning constraints, modeling financial feasibility through pro formas and selecting the right ownership and development structure. The report emphasizes how these steps—combined with understanding local infrastructure, neighborhood context and potential housing typologies—can reduce land and development costs while boosting long-term affordability.
By following the practices shared through NACo’s Counties for Housing Solutions program, counties can overcome common barriers, build public trust, attract developers and ultimately expand housing supply.
Jump to Section
This guide outlines how counties can strategically use their own vacant or underutilized land to help address the nationwide shortage of affordable housing. It walks county leaders through a structured process: identifying suitable parcels, evaluating zoning constraints, modeling financial feasibility through pro formas and selecting the right ownership and development structure. The report emphasizes how these steps—combined with understanding local infrastructure, neighborhood context and potential housing typologies—can reduce land and development costs while boosting long-term affordability.
By following the practices shared through NACo’s Counties for Housing Solutions program, counties can overcome common barriers, build public trust, attract developers and ultimately expand housing supply.
Housing Affordability Resource Hub
This resource hub brings together data, analysis and tools to support county leaders in expanding housing access and affordability for their residents.
Landmark housing reform bill becomes law with key county priorities
The latest version reflects several NACo advocacy priorities, including increased safeguards for critical community development funding and an expedited process for allocating disaster recovery funds.
NACo endorses bipartisan legislation to help volunteer first responders access affordable housing
On June 10, Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act (S.4737), bipartisan legislation that would help qualified volunteer first responders access affordable housing.
House passes revised housing package with key county wins
House passes revised 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, reflecting key feedback offered by counties.
NACo endorses bill to support, finance transit-oriented development projects
On April 20, NACo endorsed the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (Build HUBS) Act (H.R. 7062/S. 3636).