This month, several new housing laws have come into effect across the United States. These laws aim to address the ongoing housing crisis by expanding housing options, speeding up construction processes, and offering more protection to tenants.
What the New Laws Are About
These new laws vary from state to state, but they all share the goal of making housing more accessible and protecting tenants’ rights. In California, for example, a new law makes it easier to build backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are small houses built on the same lot as an existing home. This is a move to create more housing in neighborhoods where space is available.
Other laws are focused on protecting tenants from unfair treatment. Illinois and Minnesota have passed laws that prevent landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain about problems with their rental properties or who join tenant groups. In Idaho, eviction records will be sealed after a certain time to prevent them from affecting a person’s future housing opportunities.
These laws are not only being introduced to help people who are already struggling with housing, but also to address the lack of affordable housing. Experts believe that the shortage of affordable homes is a huge problem, with an estimated 3.7 million homes needed in the country right now. For people with low incomes, the shortage is even worse, with more than 7 million rental homes needed, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Building More Homes
To tackle the housing shortage, many new laws are aimed at making it easier to build new homes. For example, some states are relaxing zoning laws, which are rules that control how land can be used. By making it easier to build new types of homes in more places, these laws hope to increase the overall number of homes available.
California, which is facing a severe housing shortage, has passed over 60 housing-related laws in recent years. These laws encourage development by removing requirements like parking for certain buildings near public transportation. They also allow local governments to approve affordable housing projects more easily.
Focus on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
ADUs, which are also known as granny flats or backyard homes, are becoming more popular as a way to provide more housing. These units are often cheaper to build and can offer a solution to housing shortages. Several states, including California, Arizona, and Nebraska, have passed laws to make it easier to build ADUs.
In California, new laws aim to simplify the process of building ADUs, especially in coastal areas and on multi-family lots. There is growing support for ADUs from both Democrats and Republicans, as they provide a flexible and cost-effective way to add housing without requiring large new developments.
Tenant Protections
Along with laws to make it easier to build homes, several new laws also focus on protecting tenants. For example, in Illinois and Minnesota, landlords are prohibited from punishing tenants who report problems or join tenant organizations. These laws are designed to make sure tenants can voice their concerns without fear of being evicted or mistreated.
In Idaho, eviction records will be sealed under certain conditions. This means that if a tenant’s eviction case is dismissed or if it’s been three years since the eviction, the record won’t be publicly available. This law is aimed at helping tenants move on from past mistakes and avoid discrimination based on eviction history.
What’s Coming Next
Many states are expected to introduce more housing bills in 2025. In California, there are proposals to create a new state authority to build and manage social housing, which is public housing for those with lower incomes. In Texas, lawmakers are pushing for laws to make it easier to build ADUs by overriding local ordinances that restrict them. Meanwhile, in Maryland, legislators are working on laws to speed up the approval process for new housing developments.
While states with Republican leadership may focus more on increasing housing supply, states with Democratic leadership are likely to consider rent control and other measures to make housing more affordable. For example, Oregon is looking at rent control for mobile home parks and plans to require indoor cooling in certain apartments.
Affordable Housing Is a Complex Issue
As the need for affordable housing continues to grow, lawmakers are facing the challenge of balancing supply and affordability. Democratic state Sen. Stanley Chang from Hawaii emphasized that housing is not just about building more homes. It’s also about affordability, homelessness, and economic mobility. He believes that improving housing finance systems is essential to making progress.
Chang’s work on housing finance reform could significantly impact how quickly new housing is built in Hawaii. Currently, Hawaii holds over $500 million in a rental housing revolving fund, but the state isn’t using it fast enough. Chang believes that changing how this fund is used could help build far more housing.
Conclusion
The new housing laws being implemented across the U.S. are a positive step towards solving the housing crisis. These laws aim to protect tenants, make it easier to build new homes, and ensure that affordable housing is available. While there is no single solution to the problem, these laws offer hope for addressing the housing shortage and making housing more affordable for everyone.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
