The availability and affordability of housing is an issue facing homebuyers. Members of both political parties are talking about the issue and introducing policy proposals to help ease the issue.
Some proposals include limiting the amount of local government control of lot size, number of parking spaces, and allowing duplexes and accessory dwelling units in areas zoned for single-family homes. This would streamline the approval process and limit what local government can require during the review process. The cost of building code regulations has also been discussed by legislators as a factor in home affordability.
Builders and developers typically support these concepts while local government organizations oppose them. Proponents argue these steps are necessary to increase housing availability and affordability. Local governments argue that local control must be preserved and that people living in the community are better at making land use decisions than cookie cutter solutions coming from state government.
Questions to Consider
- How can public policy—including property tax reform—help improve housing affordability and availability?
- Should the free market be allowed to dictate home prices?
- How do you balance the cost of building code regulations while taking advantage of technology to make homes more efficient?
- Should the local planning and zoning be preempted by the state of Michigan to make it easier to build homes to improve affordability and availability?
- If local government are preempted by the state, how can local communities maintain their own identity and uniqueness?
Policy References
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