Land-Use Policy for Affordable Housing Goals: A Case Study of a Rapidly Growing Mid-Sized City in the United States

Nathan Teklemariam (), Olumayowa A. Idowu, Lori Dickes and Adegboyega O. Owolabi
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Nathan Teklemariam: Department of Political Science, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Olumayowa A. Idowu: Department of Political Science, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Lori Dickes: Department of Political Science, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Adegboyega O. Owolabi: Department of Political Science, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-24

Abstract: Driven by many factors, the housing affordability landscape in the United States (U.S.) is in crisis. This research examines the potential role of inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies as a tool to alleviate housing cost burdens and deliver affordable housing in the rapidly growing southeastern region of the U.S., with a specific focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Utilizing data from LawAtlas, this study first conducts a policy scan on the state of IZ policies across seven comparable jurisdictions. This study further employs qualitative semi-structured interviews with stakeholders to assess the current challenges to affordable housing in the county. Our findings suggest that growing regions such as Greenville County face unique challenges as they strive to meet the growing demand for affordable housing that serves a wide range of community members. A major finding from interviewees includes a need for more localized and nuanced metrics of housing affordability, greater density, and mixed-use development. However, the county faces challenges for such developments due to NIMBYism and preference for a more traditional rural and suburban typology of housing in the county. Finally, our study finds that zoning policies that enhance the supply of affordable housing by design can promote equity, trust, economic growth, and quality of life.

Keywords: land-use policy; inclusionary zoning; affordable housing; housing policy; Greenville County; South Carolina (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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