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.
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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.
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).
County Leaders Unite to Drive Federal Action on Housing and Homelessness
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and county leaders from large urban counties across the country are coming together for a leadership fly-in meeting April 22-23 to explore innovative solutions for housing and homelessness in urban communities. The event provides a platform for peer exchange among county leaders, highlights leading local strategies and strengthens federal advocacy efforts to align national policies with county-driven solutions.
Collaborative Leadership Leads to Housing for All
Join the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Homebuilders for a conversation on approaches to advancing attainable housing solutions in communities across the country.