GIS programmers in Johnson County, Kan., are considering whether to incorporate foreclosure data into a citizen-facing map the county is already deploying aimed at helping young homebuyers and renters find affordable housing. This tool is separate from the municipality's HUD-related foreclosure-tracking project.

"A big concern for us was college kids graduating after four years, coming back, and trying to get jobs and having a hard time finding places to live," said John Harrenstein, management analyst of Johnson County.

The project emerged before the housing crisis erupted, but it could end up serving as a valuable function for that challenge, Harrenstein said. Also, residents who are selling their homes could use the tool for locating replacement housing.

"Our GIS folks put every parcel on the map. You can zoom in, see a picture on the map, see the range of the price of the house," he said.

The GIS tool also aims to help communities diversify the housing options they offer, which could make them more resilient if there's another national housing crisis. Later in 2009, Johnson County plans to present its housing data to communities, along with research showing income levels and occupations for each area. Localities can use the information to strategize how to diversify the residents they attract in terms of income levels and occupations.

"Instead of just being suburbia, a community could mix in multifamily structures -- perhaps incorporate into a subdivision a mix of homes that range from $350,000 down to $150,000," Harrenstein explained.