Local Programming: Custom Solutions, Shared Goals: Unlocking Land for Housing

Cities nationwide are seeking ways to transform vacant and underutilized land into housing that meets community needs. This presentation describes how Detroit, Cleveland, and Houston are applying zoning reform, factory-built housing, and/or fast-track permitting as practical tools to diversify housing stock, expand options for lower-income households, reduce barriers for developers, attract investment, and accelerate neighborhood stabilization.

Learn how planners are:

• Revising zoning codes to align land use policies with today’s housing challenges;
  

• Integrating factory-built housing to lower costs, speed construction, and broaden housing choices; and

• Implementing fast-track permitting to reduce delays, cut costs, and attract investment.

Presenters share concrete strategies, transferable methods, and case-based examples to adapt to your own community. Examine both successes and challenges for practical insights into what it takes to move from policy changes to on-the-ground results.

Most importantly, the discussion emphasizes how these tools can advance inclusive and equitable planning, ensuring that new development contributes to housing stability and expands access for residents across income levels. Leave with actionable ideas to drive effective, equitable change.