Housing Affordability Resource Hub
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Across the United States, housing affordability has reached a critical point. There is an estimated shortage of more than 3.7 million homes and in many communities cost burdens continue to rise faster than wages. In 18 percent of counties, households spend more than 3.5 times their annual income to afford a typical home and nearly a quarter of renters are severely cost‑burdened, spending more than half their income on rent. These dynamics strain residents, employers, schools and public services alike.
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About this Tool
Across the United States, housing affordability has reached a critical point. There is an estimated shortage of more than 3.7 million homes and in many communities cost burdens continue to rise faster than wages. In 18 percent of counties, households spend more than 3.5 times their annual income to afford a typical home and nearly a quarter of renters are severely cost‑burdened, spending more than half their income on rent. These dynamics strain residents, employers, schools and public services alike.
Counties are uniquely positioned to help address these challenges. While authority and capacity vary across states, counties influence key housing drivers including land use, zoning, infrastructure planning, local regulations and permitting as well as community engagement, tax policy and intergovernmental partnerships. Counties also administer federal housing relief, support emergency housing needs and channel investments that affect who can access stable affordable homes.
This resource hub brings together data, analysis and tools to support county leaders in expanding housing access and affordability for their residents.
NACo Resource
NACo Housing Task Force Final Report
Initiated by past NACo President Denise Winfrey, the NACo Housing Task Force conducted an in-depth examination of the affordable housing crisis and its connection to counties. This report provides an overview of the housing crisis, county housing ecosystem and best practice summaries. More details on the Task Force’s 25 recommendations and best practices can be found in the Task Force’s Best Practice and Policy Recommendations for County Leaders.
NACo Program
Counties for Housing Solutions
In 2024, NACo launched Counties for Housing Solutions (C4HS), which provided intensive technical assistance program that helped 23 counties implement strategies to increase local housing supply.
NACo Resource
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.
Policy Advocacy
Restore Funding for HUD's Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program
Urge your Members of Congress to restore funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program to at least $2.5 billion.
Support Local Development and Infrastructure Projects Through the Community Development Block Grant Program
Urge your Members of Congress to fund the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at no less than $4.2 billion.
County-Level Data
These resources support counties in making data informed decisions with hundreds of data points to browse.
County Explorer Data
An interactive mapping tool featuring the latest available data for all 3,069 U.S. counties across 14 categories, more than 100 datasets, over 1,000 indicators and more than 10 types of county and state profiles.
Housing Landscape
NACo’s Housing Affordability for America’s Counties provides six reports that analyze important aspects of housing affordability. These reports provide information on the county's role, the federal-county relationship and options for county-led actions.
Housing America's Residents: The County Role
This report defines the county role and authority regarding the national housing shortage and provides examples for county action.
Housing America's Residents: The Federal-County Intergovernmental Nexus
NACo’s report provides an overview of the many federal resources available to counties seeking to increase options for affordable housing.
Housing America's Residents: Finance, Lending and County Tax Policy
NACo’s report details four aspects of the county role in housing finance to successfully develop new housing, maintain existing housing stock and navigate housing support systems.
Housing America's Residents: Land Use, Zoning, Infrastructure and Community Planning
NACo’s report details four aspects of the county role in housing finance to successfully develop new housing, maintain existing housing stock and navigate housing support systems.
Housing America’s Residents: Community Engagement, Education and Partnerships
NACo’s report provides guidance and county examples on integrating public involvement, education and partnerships to inform housing requirements and gain community support.
Housing America’s Residents: Regulations, Codes and Fees
NACo’s report how county officials use local regulations, codes and fees on individual development projects to promote affordable housing goals.
Solutions and Tools
Housing Solutions Matchmaker Tool
This tool characterizes counties by the affordability, quality and supply of the housing stock and shares policy solutions and recommendations based on an individual county's housing profile.
Advancing Housing Affordability: Best Practice and Policy Recommendations for County Leaders
The NACo Housing Task Force provides 25 detailed recommendations and best practices for land use, zoning, infrastructure and community planning; regulation, codes and associated fees; federal-county intergovernmental nexus; community engagement, partnership and education; and finance, lending and county tax policy.
Revitalizing Main Street and Urban Corridors: Exploring the Potential of Commercial to Residential Conversion Projects
Learn about the emerging trend of converting commercial properties into residential spaces, including key challenges and the significant benefits. Such adaptive reuse strategies can be helpful for urban counties seeking to revitalize communities and advance housing initiatives.
Affordable Housing: Toolkit for Counties
NACo’s toolkit offers counties solutions for the affordable housing crisis in four areas: inter-jurisdictional partnerships, funding and financing, planning and zoning, and federal resources. Each area includes strategies and nationwide examples of success.
How We Did It: Elevating Short Term Rental Compliance with Yates County, NY
Many local governments struggle to recoup revenue from short-term rentals, but platforms like Airbnb and VRBO represent a significant source of tourism-related tax income. This webinar highlights Yates County, NY’s approach to identifying owed taxes, overcoming owner/address challenges, and implementing an effective compliance program, resulting in $185k collected in just six months.
HUD Case Studies
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides case studies on strategies for increasing sustainable affordable housing and accessible public transportation. Examples of projects include senior housing, anchor institutions, supportive housing and zoning.
Supports for Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable populations encounter specific obstacles when trying to secure affordable and stable housing. These resources offer insights into the difficulties these groups experience and explain how counties can develop strategies to make housing more accessible and affordable for those in need.
Housing for the Justice-Involved: The Case for County Action
Individuals returning to their communities after incarceration often face distinct challenges in securing stable housing. NACo’s article examines the administrative and legislative strategies that county officials can implement to create successful housing initiatives for people reentering society following incarceration.
Assessing Racial and Other Forms of Inequity in Housing: A Guide for Counties
This report presents data concerning housing inequities and examines the adverse impacts on affected populations. It also discusses potential solutions and highlights the significant role that counties have in advancing housing equity.
The County Role in Ending Homelessness and Improving Public Health
Homelessness both intensifies and contributes to a wide range of health issues. This report examines strategies to address homelessness through various housing initiatives, with key insights centered on crisis housing, transitional housing and long-term housing solutions.