Reports & Toolkits

Housing Affordability for America's Counties

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    Housing Affordability for America's 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.

    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.

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    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.

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    Archive of Housing Publications

    Building Homes: County Funding for Affordable Housing, 2018

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    Access to Housing: Supporting County Workers Through Affordable Homes, 2018

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    Housing Connections: Promoting Affordability Through Community Engagement, 2018

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    Planning Ahead: County Planning, Land Use and Zoning Strategies for Affordable Housing, 2018

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    Affordable Housing Toolkit For Counties, 2019

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    • Download Executive Summary
    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.
    2023-04-28
    Reports & Toolkits
    2023-07-11

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.

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.

View Map

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

Building Homes: County Funding for Affordable Housing, 2018

Access to Housing: Supporting County Workers Through Affordable Homes, 2018

Housing Connections: Promoting Affordability Through Community Engagement, 2018

Planning Ahead: County Planning, Land Use and Zoning Strategies for Affordable Housing, 2018

Affordable Housing Toolkit For Counties, 2019

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About Kevin Shrawder (Full Bio)

Senior Analyst, Economic and Government Studies

Kevin is NACo's senior analyst for economic and government studies in NACo's Counties Futures Lab. His responsibilities include leading new research on key government functions to expand NACo’s data resources on county governance and providing leadership to NACo’s Housing Task Force.

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