As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.
Writing in Bloomberg CityLab, M. Nolan Gray and Salim Furth describe the wave of ‘YIMBY’ zoning reform sweeping the nation. From California to Rhode Island, states are taking a formerly local matter into their hands in an effort to alleviate the housing crisis.
“According to a new report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, more than 200 housing bills were introduced in at least 23 states. The shift follows the national spread of a housing affordability crisis once contained to the urban coasts.” Even usually reticent states like Montana passed sweeping reforms permitting more housing types. “Meanwhile, Florida legislators passed the Live Local Act, broadly preempting local zoning barriers to housing. The bill allows mixed-income housing — built to the highest allowable density in the municipality — in all commercial and industrial zones, as long as some of the units are reserved for workforce housing.”
It may take years to see the effects of zoning reform, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. According to the authors, “The work pays off. California’s legislative focus on allowing ADUs has resulted in tens of thousands of newly permitted units, largely in areas off-limits to apartments.”
FULL STORY: What the YIMBY Winning Streak Means
New Jersey Affordable Housing Law Turns 50
The Mount Laurel Doctrine tasks each city and town with creating enough affordable housing to meet their needs, but half a century after its passage, the law still faces opposition in some parts of the state.
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
New Jersey Calls for 85,000 New Housing Units
A state law known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine mandates that each jurisdiction accommodate enough new housing units to meet the local demand for affordable housing.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
EV Chargers Now Outnumber Gas Pumps by Nearly 50% in California
Fast chargers still lag behind amidst rapid growth.
Affordable Housing Renovations Halt Mid-Air Amidst DOGE Clawbacks
HUD may rescind over a billion dollars earmarked for green building upgrades.
Has Anyone at USDOT Read Donald Shoup?
USDOT employees, who are required to go back to the office, will receive free parking at the agency’s D.C. offices — flying in the face of a growing research body that calls for pricing parking at its real value.
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