Housing Choice Task Force
Give Your Input Today
The APA-NC Housing Choice Task Force (HCTF) wants to hear from you!
The HCTF has been working to identify impediments and opportunities for housing choice. They assessed national best practices, solicited feedback from APA-NC membership, and coordinated with the APA-NC Executive and Legislative Committees to recommend actions to increase housing choice throughout North Carolina. The HCTF has synthesized the work of its two subcommittees and needs your input on the draft recommendations.
View the Executive Summary and take the survey below to provide your feedback. The survey is open until November 16, 2025.
VIEW THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BOARD
The preliminary legislative recommendations are based on the following:
A. Relatively high feasibility of being supported by the NC General Assembly,
B. Support from partners,
C. No significant negative impacts to NC towns, cities and counties and significant potential benefits, and
D. A high level of support from APA-NC membership based on the initial HCTF survey with 105 respondents.
The HCTF understands that most NC Planners are against any and all State preemption. The areas of recommendation reflect areas of common values and interests between most NC Planners, most NC communities, a broad spectrum of residents and the NC General Assembly.
Following the Fall APA-NC conference and additional member feedback, the HCTF will complete the report by the end of 2025 and will review the findings with the Legislative and the Executive Committees. Final report publication is planned for early 2026.
Thank you for your input, ideas and work on this important initiative.
About Housing Choice and Zoning Reform
Over the past several years, 25 states across the U.S. [source: map on in this article, plus efforts in Nebraska and Hawaii, 25 states], including North Carolina, have adopted or considered statewide zoning reform efforts to promote Housing Choice. These efforts support greater housing affordability and availability in our communities.
“Housing choice” refers to the ample availability of a wide range of housing types across all communities, to ensure that individuals and families can select housing that best suits their needs, income and circumstances. Housing choice contributes to community stability, improved quality of life, access to better neighborhoods with greater opportunities, and ultimately, increased economic mobility, particularly for low-income populations.
“Zoning reform” focuses on statewide changes to local zoning ordinances that increase housing choice. Examples include allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or duplexes anywhere single-family structures are allowed, creating incentives for greater density near transit service and reducing or eliminating parking minimums.
About the Task Force
In December, 2024, the APA-NC Executive Committee authorized a Housing Choice Task Force, to be chaired by Raleigh Planning and Development Director Patrick (Pat) Young, to work to:
- Identify impediments to and opportunities for housing choice in North Carolina, including an assessment of local zoning reform efforts; and
- Assess best practices from Statewide Zoning Reform efforts across the Country, including engagement with National APA who has been heavily involved in this issue; and
- Work with the APA-NC Executive Committee and membership to get feedback on support for housing choice and zoning reform efforts; and
- Coordinate with the APA-NC Legislative Committee to recommend actions to increase housing choice, if supported by the APA-NC Executive Committee; and
- Work with the APA-NC Executive Committee to produce a report and recommendations including all of the above, along with any other agreed-to policy recommendations.
Two subcommittees were formed.
Subcommittee 1: Identify impediments to and opportunities for housing choice in North Carolina, including an assessment of local zoning reform efforts (focus on engagement with peer organizations and on identifying impediments and opportunities)
Subcommittee 2: Access best practices from local and Statewide Zoning Reform efforts across the Country, including engagement with National APA who has been heavily involved in this issue (focus on local and national examples/best practices and possible recommended policies/actions)
The Task Force’s work will delivered to the APA-NC Executive and Legislative Committees by early 2026.
Please contact Pat Young if you have any questions.