NC Investment Map

INCREASED HOUSING PER LAND UNIT

Work with local partners to promote housing policies that allow increased housing units per land unit and loosen zoning restrictions in order to reduce construction costs and increase the number of new homes constructed

PRODUCE MORE HOUSING ACROSS THE AFFORDABILITY SPECTRUM

Increased Housing Per Land Unit

Invest in local partners who are working to increase the number of homes allowed in a unit of space, such as an acre, by promoting policies that allow for increased density and amending zoning regulations that limit density. Increasing housing density is an important strategy for reducing the total cost of new construction and increasing the supply of affordable units in favorable locations (near transit, job centers, grocery, medical care, etc.). When density is increased to meet specific affordability goals, and when it is targeted toward particular locations (such as communities where the high cost of land limits new affordable development) it can be notably effective. This promising strategy requires investment in:

  • Labor hours to identify opportunities for state and local reform, with a particular focus on including community and BIPOC voices in the analysis
  • Lobbying/advocacy hours to support the work of partner organizations as they advocate at state and local levels to change housing density regulations
  • Community outreach hours to expand membership in existing agencies to include diversity stakeholders and community members

This promising strategy requires investment in:

  • Labor hours to identify opportunities for state and local reform, with a particular focus on including community and BIPOC voices in the analysis
  • Lobbying / advocacy hours to support the work of partner organizations as they advocate at state an local levels to change housing density regulations
  • Community outreach hours to expand membership in existing agencies to include diversity stakeholders and community members

Evaluation of Promising Strategy in Initial Target Regions

Learn more about the Investment Map’s selection of Initial Target Regions.

The Piedmont Triad Apartment Association (PTAA) brings apartment owners and operators, supplier partners, residents, and the community at large together to improve apartment living in the region. In 2019, for example, PTAA’s advocacy and governmental affairs at state, local, and national levels focused on housing affordability, including increasing landlord acceptance of Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers, removing barriers to new infrastructure development, and protecting existing rental stock through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Single-family housing predominate in the region. Some cities (e.g., High Point) have zoning ordinances inhibiting the development of a mixture of housing types and the development of multi‐family homes, group homes, and housing for elderly and disabled residents.

  • Diverse local partners are engaged. Metric = # local advocates actively involved. Metric = # of BIPOC local advocates actively involved. Metric = # BIPOC advocates in leadership roles
  • Partners have the capacity to create significant change. Metric = Number of communities that partners are able to target.
  • Policies supporting higher density are put in place. Metric = #/type of new policies voted into place as a result of advocacy.
  • Zoning regulations changed to support higher density. Metric = #/type regulations changed as a result of advocacy.
  • Density levels increase. Metric = % change in permitted density level in each targeted area.

One of the goals of the Apartment Association of WNC is to promote the continuing growth of the apartment management industry through legislative guidance and support.

Single-family housing predominates the region.

  • Diverse local partners are engaged. Metric = # local advocates actively involved. Metric = # of BIPOC local advocates actively involved. Metric = # BIPOC advocates in leadership roles
  • Partners have the capacity to create significant change. Metric = number of communities that partners are able to target.
  • Policies supporting higher density are put in place. Metric = #/type of new policies voted into place as a result of advocacy.
  • Zoning regulations changed to support higher density. Metric = #/type regulations changed as a result of advocacy.
  • Density levels increase. Metric = % change in permitted density level in each targeted area.

HOUSING PROMISING STRATEGIES

View other promising strategies for investing in NC’s food systems