NC Investment Map

INCREASED LOCATIONS OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Develop regional databases of publicly-owned land and a complementary mapping strategy to determine which land parcels would have maximum impact on affordable housing development, particularly for BIPOC communities

PRODUCE MORE HOUSING ACROSS THE AFFORDABILITY SPECTRUM

Increased Locations of Housing Development

Develop a database of publicly owned land and a mapping strategy for targeting specific parcels that could be put to optimal use if utilized for affordable housing, particularly in economically, integrated BIPOC communities. Repurposing public land can provide a powerful way of subsidizing affordable housing development, but in many counties public land is owned by a patchwork of public agencies. Working with a systems modeling team can produce an interactive map that uses:

  • A geographic information system (GIS) to quantify the characteristics of each parcel
  • “Systems dynamics” to help track the effects of complex policies and community issues on parcel value
  • “Predictive analytics” to identify the likelihood of various outcomes if land has different uses

An example of a related initiative (in a different context) is the Good Lands Project. An organization pursuing related work is LOVELAND, which is mapping parcels via Landgrid. Additionally, some cities, such as Charlotte, have created guidelines to use public land for affordable housing.

  • Labor hours to develop the database and maintain it over time
  • Labor hours to create the mapping strategy

This promising strategy requires investment in:

  • Labor hours to develop the database and maintain it over time
  • Labor hours to create the mapping strategy

Evaluation of Promising Strategy in Initial Target Regions

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

At the statewide level, the NC Department of Agriculture maintains a list of state-owned property and land that is for sale.

There is no statewide data, and no current way to obtain data, on public land parcels that could be used as new sites for affordable housing. While some information is collected at the city or county level, it is not collected in a thorough or consistent way.

  • The database is developed. Metric = Platform identified. Metric = Licensing or permissions acquired.
  • The database is operational. Metric = Data is fully entered into the database in accordance with the mapping strategy.
  • A mapping strategy is developed. Metric = Mapping strategy approved and ready for implementation.
  • A database maintenance plan is in place. Metric = Data & platform maintenance plan operational.

At the statewide level, the NC Department of Agriculture maintains a list of state-owned property and land that is for sale.

At the regional level, county land is actively being used for housing. For example, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners approved the use of county land near McDowell Technical Community College for a workforce housing complex.

Dogwood Health Trust plans to commission a housing needs and market assessment in all 18 WNC counties, which will help illuminate the need for additional housing and where this housing should be located.

There is no statewide data, and no current way to obtain data, on public land parcels that could be used as new sites for affordable housing. While some information is collected at the city or county level, it is not collected in a thorough or consistent way.

  • The database is developed. Metric = Platform identified. Metric = Licensing or permissions acquired.
  • The database is operational. Metric = Data is fully entered into the database in accordance with the mapping strategy.
  • A mapping strategy is developed. Metric = Mapping strategy approved and ready for implementation
  • A database maintenance plan is in place. Metric = Data & platform maintenance plan operational.

HOUSING PROMISING STRATEGIES

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