?? Unlocking the Housing Affordability Puzzle: NAHB's Land Use Primers ??

Local land use policies wield considerable influence over housing production and affordability, though this connection often eludes those outside the home building realm. NAHB's Land Development Committee recognized the need for clarity and formed a working group to craft educational resources on land use policy. The outcome? Three concise primers, each delivering a pro-housing and development message in under 60 seconds. These resources prove invaluable when engaging with individuals unfamiliar with the topic or lacking time for extensive reports.

NAHB enlisted the expertise of Opticos Design, the originator of the term 'missing middle housing,' to create these informative materials. Opticos previously collaborated with NAHB on 'Diversifying Housing Options with Smaller Lots and Smaller Homes.'

The primers focus on three key land use policy areas that directly impact housing production and affordability:

Density: Tackling the challenges, solutions, and community benefits of housing density.

Zoning: Examining the role of zoning in housing options and affordability.

Development Review: Shedding light on the intricacies of development review processes and their implications for housing.

Many cities grapple with land-use codes and zoning that inhibit the construction of dense, smaller-unit housing, which could provide an affordable alternative to traditional single-family homes. Additionally, development review procedures in numerous locales are often subjective, unpredictable, and time-consuming. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution to the housing affordability crisis, addressing hindering policies and processes while championing pro-housing local strategies represents a promising first step.

For those seeking a deeper dive into these critical issues, NAHB offers an updated Land Use 101 toolkit found alongside the full article here

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