NEW YORK, NY – Enterprise Community Partners has announced the first cohort of its Land Use Network, a new initiative designed to help cities and counties increase housing supply by reimagining how land is used and regulated at the local level. The inaugural cohort includes five jurisdictions, marking the first phase of a three-year effort that will support up to 15 cities and counties nationwide.

“Land use policy shapes the future of our communities in ways few other tools can,” said Shaun Donovan, CEO of Enterprise Community Partners. “At a time of severe housing shortage, to increase supply, we must modernize the rules that govern what gets built and where. The Land Use Network is about helping communities remove outdated barriers, embrace smart growth, and scale solutions that expand access to high-quality, affordable homes.”

Led by Enterprise’s mission-driven consultancy, Enterprise Advisors, and made possible with support from Ballmer Group, the Network will support up to 15 jurisdictions over three years in advancing smarter, more flexible land use policies that preserve affordability, unlock critical public and private capital, and accelerate housing production, including the expansion of missing middle housing. 

Each participating jurisdiction will receive technical assistance tailored to its stage of progress – either identifying local opportunities and developing actionable frameworks or moving from planning to implementation. Cohort members will also engage in peer learning through convenings and knowledge-sharing opportunities over the next three years, helping to scale successful approaches nationwide. 

“This inaugural cohort represents a diverse group of communities that are proactively tackling housing affordability and ready to commit to action,” said Christopher Kizzie, Vice President, Enterprise Advisors. “As the first five participants in a multi-year initiative, they are setting the pace for what’s possible. We’re excited to lend our expertise and partner with them as they put tangible land use strategies into practice and demonstrate how local change can translate into more housing and broader impact nationwide.”

The inaugural five-member cohort includes:

• Columbus, Ohio – Through Enterprise’s hands-on guidance, the city will source and acquire viable sites, while leveraging zoning reforms and a new $500M bond to expand development opportunities. “We look forward to working with Enterprise and the Land Use Network to hone the City of Columbus’s site acquisition strategy,” said Columbus Department of Development Director Michael Stevens. “With Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s call to action for Central Ohio to build 200,000 homes over a decade, this collaboration will enable the Department of Development to identify new sites for equitable growth.” 
• Dallas, Texas – Enterprise will propose policy updates, which may include new incentives, updates to density bonuses, and pre-approved designs, to promote missing middle and affordable housing. “Land use reform is one of the most effective tools we have to increase housing supply at no cost to the taxpayer. By focusing on clear, streamlined policies, Dallas can deliver more housing options while maintaining the fiscal discipline our residents expect and deserve,” said Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “With Enterprise as a partner, we can continue taking bold steps toward modernizing our land use policies, unlocking underutilized land, accelerating development, and expanding housing options for Dallas residents.”
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Enterprise will partner with Milwaukee in a year-long effort to model opportunities for how the city can utilize its RFP processes to support housing production on city-owned development sites, including advancing listings for key sites that have been identified through past neighborhood planning efforts. “I’ve declared 2026 as The Year of Housing in Milwaukee and directed all City departments to pursue innovative strategies to increase safe and accessible housing choices,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “Milwaukee’s participation in the Land Use Network will help accelerate our work to repurpose vacant city-owned land into needed housing opportunities for Milwaukeeans.” 
• Richmond, Virginia – Enterprise will conduct a transit corridor rezoning study and deliver zoning recommendations based on market and housing analyses, develop anti-displacement strategies, assess barriers to development, and align incentives. “Thoughtful planning along our transit corridors is critical to Richmond’s next phase of growth,” said Richmond Mayor Danny Avula. “This partnership will allow us to better align land use with market realities, so we can grow sustainably, attract capital, and ensure longtime residents can continue to call Richmond home.”   
• Pierce County, Washington – To evaluate and enable missing middle housing, Enterprise will help assess feasibility, align developer guidance with regulations, and remove barriers to development. “Pierce County is growing, and we have a responsibility to make sure that growth comes with affordable housing options for the families who live and work here. Partnering with Enterprise Community Partners gives us access to the expertise and proven strategies we need to cut through barriers and build more affordable homes,” said County Executive Ryan Mello.

Enterprise is now accepting applications for the second cohort of the Land Use Network. Interested cities and counties can apply by May 15, 2026. For more information and access to the application, visit: https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/story/unlocking-potential-enterpris….