Housing Affordability for America's Counties
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Housing America's Residents: The Role of Counties
Housing is one of the basic needs for healthy, safe and vibrant communities. Some research estimates a housing shortage of more than 3.8 million units across the country. County voices are instrumental in community planning, land use, zoning and enacting policies and other regulations that affect housing. In addition, many counties distribute federal relief for emergency rental assistance, evictions and foreclosures, and provide temporary housing solutions to individuals with disabilities, low-income populations, veterans and those experiencing homelessness. Though county leaders have varied authority in cultivating housing affordability, each county can play a role in the solution.
Housing America's Residents: The Federal-County Intergovernmental Nexus
Starting in the 1930’s, the federal government began providing housing assistance to lower-income households through the establishment of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) and promoting the construction of low-rent public housing through public housing authorities (PHAs). Today, most federal housing assistance programs are administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This brief provides an overview of the federal resources available to counties to address housing affordability.
Housing America's Residents: Finance, Lending and County Tax Policy
Investment – often a blend of financing, lending and county tax policy – is required to successfully develop new housing, maintain existing housing stock, and navigate housing support systems. There are four interrelated aspects of the county role in housing finance, including direct aid to residents, support to developers and community-based organizations, county tax policy and county revenue sources.
Demand for housing has outpaced available supply in counties nationwide
County housing income to cost ratio compared to population trends from the Housing Solutions Matchmaker Tool analysis.
Housing America's Residents: The Role of Counties
Housing spans a wide range of touchpoints in many counties. Though authority may vary, each county can play a role in the solution. There are five key areas in which counties can use policy, administrative, financial or convening levers to foster housing affordability.
Archive of Housing Publications
Across the U.S., county residents are facing a crisis of housing affordability. Housing affordability becomes a problem when too many homes are developed outside of the purchasing power range of residents. As a result, potential homebuyers delay buying a house for years as they try to save for a down payment while repaying student loans and paying exorbitant rents. Low-income renters teeter on the edge of eviction and homelessness when a sudden job loss, unexpected expense or death hits the family. Housing affordability is a challenge that confronts all types of counties on the ground.
Across the country, the lack of affordable housing is severely impacting homeowners and renters. Increasingly, housing affordability is of major concern across all regions of the U.S. and throughout urban, suburban and rural communities. This issue effects everyone, including those who work for counties.
Residents across the country are increasingly burdened by rising housing and transportation costs, which are the leading drivers of affordability challenges.
Across the nation, county residents and county governments are struggling with housing costs. County governments are most explicitly linked to housing through property assessments and the collection of property taxes – their top revenue source – yet, they face a diverse set of challenges stemming from housing affordability issues.
Counties of all sizes and in all regions of the country are struggling with housing affordability.
Resource
Advancing Local Housing Affordability: NACo Housing Task Force Final Report
Counties offer a second chance after incarceration
From job fairs and housing programs to educational opportunities, counties offer a second chance after incarceration.
County shines light on property deed history of racially restrictive covenants
The Durham County, N.C. Register of Deeds is using public records information and archival documentation to educate county residents on racially restrictive covenants in property deeds and how their impact can still be felt today.
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White House and Treasury announce new actions to increase housing supply
On February 29, the White House announced several new actions to increase housing supply and lower costs, building off of the White House’s Housing Supply Action Plan and Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights released last year.
Housing shortage bedevils public lands counties, employers, feds
Restrictions on how the federal government can pay for housing for employees has prompted the U.S. Forest Service to work with a county to develop residential units, thanks to a farm bill provision.
Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #3: “Nailing It” at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit – An Opportunity for Action
Join the International Economic Development Task Force throughout this Spring for a special virtual training series on how to bring jobs and capital to your community through foreign investment. In this third training, learn how you can apply the strategies discussed so far and make real-time connections with global businesses at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit (Jun. 23-26) near Washington, D.C.
Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #4: Understanding Your County’s Competitive Advantage and Forming Your Value Proposition
In this fourth training, we will discuss how to determine your county’s competitive advantage and form your value proposition using key economic data points.
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Join the BRECC National Network this May and learn how key federal resources can support innovative brownfield redevelopment projects in energy communities.
Global Connections for Your Local Economy Series #5: Wrap Up Discussion and NACo Resources
If you’re ready to take your county’s economic development to the next level, join the International Economic Development Task Force throughout this Spring for a special virtual training series on how to bring jobs and capital to your community through foreign investment.