Press coverage: NKY Tribune, LINK nky, Cincinnati Enquirer, WCPO, Fox19
CommunityScale had the privilege of working closely with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), Brighton Center, and dozens of local partners to develop Home For All: Northern Kentucky Housing Strategies.
Aligning job growth and housing
One of the most striking trends we encountered as we began this engagement was the robust job growth throughout Northern Kentucky’s eight-county region (Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, and Pendleton). From large logistics operations near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to expanding healthcare and tech positions in urban cores, employers are hiring. Yet, as noted in the 2023 Northern Kentucky Housing Study, this growth has outpaced the area’s current supply of homes.
Defining the needs
The study reported that the region needs an additional 6,650 new homes over five years to keep up with economic growth (see WXIX coverage). These homes must be aligned with the full range of incomes and life stages: from young professionals looking for an affordable condo to older adults who want to downsize while staying near family. Our role at CommunityScale was to help local stakeholders translate these findings into action-oriented solutions.
Stakeholder engagement
In our consulting work, one principle stands out: Strong solutions spring from strong conversations. We facilitated sessions with more than 90 civic and business leaders—people working in real estate, economic development, government offices, and nonprofits. Many of them graciously shared their time and insights during workshops, data walks, and review sessions. They brought forward the unique housing challenges faced in both urban corridors and rural areas.
Data-informed, locally driven
From day one, we aimed to balance quantitative data with qualitative expertise. The Northern Kentucky Housing Data Study gave us a baseline for the gaps to fill—especially the “missing middle” homes priced for moderate-income workers. Then, ongoing community meetings and surveys revealed how older adults, first-time buyers, and a variety of local employers all experience Northern Kentucky’s housing dynamics differently.
Top strategies in the Home For All report
A flexible “menu of strategies”
Rather than a prescriptive plan, Home For All functions as a menu: 50 strategies that communities can adapt based on local capacity, priorities, and resources (report available at HousingNKY.org). Below are just a few highlights we believe could make an immediate impact:
- Proactive code enforcement: Many of Northern Kentucky’s older neighborhoods have vacant or deteriorating homes that could be saved and returned to the market. Cost-effective code enforcement helps preserve existing homes and prevents demolition by neglect.
- Missing middle housing strategy: Demand for townhomes, duplexes, and cottages frequently outpaces supply. Streamlined regulations and creative zoning can lower development costs and attract builders interested in these vital home types.
- Expedited permitting: In a growing region, time is of the essence. By coordinating more closely with planning commissions and building departments, localities can help cost-conscious developers increase their pace without compromising safety.
- Regional housing trust fund: If established, such a fund could issue grants or forgivable loans that encourage income-aligned development and preserve affordability. Other cities that use this model have successfully scaled new home construction, adding more entry-level purchase options.
- Small developer support: Many smaller builders left the industry after the 2008 recession. By offering training, tailored financing, or technical assistance, local officials can jump-start the creation of missing middle homes and spur more competition in the market.
In addition, the report highlights strategies like incentives for landlords who accept Housing Choice Vouchers and a “landlord property inventory” system to help match available rentals with tenants quickly. These recommendations underscore that addressing local needs requires public, private, and nonprofit sectors to work in tandem.
Tara Johnson-Noem
Executive Director
Northern Kentucky Area Development District
“Home for All is the culmination of a year’s worth of work involving more than 90 community leaders and experts who devoted countless hours to addressing the region’s urgent housing needs. The goal is to close the housing gap across income levels to ensure our children have somewhere to live in our region when they leave home, that our parents can afford to downsize if they wish, and that our teachers and first responders have somewhere to live within a reasonable drive of their workplace.” (nkytribune.com)
How communities can use these insights
Crafting local policy
Each county or municipality has its own set of opportunities and constraints. Boone County leaders, for instance, might prioritize encouraging “downsize-friendly” homes for retirees, while rural counties might focus more on addressing the distance between existing homes and employment centers. The idea is for local governments to pick relevant options from the menu and tailor them.
Bolstering economic development
We often say that “homes are where jobs sleep at night.” Site selection experts advise businesses to look closely at a region’s housing stock before bringing new operations to town. By taking on more of these strategies—improving the number of diverse homes and simplifying the path to development—Northern Kentucky can more effectively recruit employers, ranging from logistics companies to tech startups.
Partnering with the private sector
One strategy we encourage municipalities to explore is forging partnerships with local employers who see housing costs and availability as a top concern. Employers benefit by retaining workers who can live closer to the job site. With the help of philanthropic grants or a newly formed regional housing trust fund, local entities could launch pilot projects near large employment hubs.
