Los Angeles recently delayed a state housing mandate, sparking a direct conflict between state and local control over urban development. This move challenges state efforts to boost housing options, specifically delaying 2026 city building code changes meant to address the housing shortage, according to Planetizen.
State governments push for streamlined housing development and preemption of local zoning. Yet, many municipalities resist these mandates, often finding their own, sometimes radical, solutions to increase housing supply. North Carolina's Senate Bill 445, for instance, aims to shift land-use control from local governments to the state, according to WRAL.
Cities Take Bold Steps to Boost Density
Cities are boldly challenging traditional zoning. Chicago officials, for example, aim to permit multiunit housing of up to eight units in every neighborhood, according to chicagobusiness. A proposed ordinance there would also allow developers to construct buildings up to five stories with a single stairwell and exit on each floor, according to Block Club Chicago. The permitting of multiunit housing up to eight units in every neighborhood and the proposed ordinance allowing five-story buildings with a single stairwell signal a significant shift towards flexible urban planning, prioritizing housing needs over long-held building standards.
States Invest Heavily in New Housing Programs
States are stepping up with substantial financial support to accelerate housing supply. Michigan's MI Home Program, for instance, plans to build or rehabilitate 10,000 homes over five years, investing $160 million annually for a total of $800 million, according to fox2detroit. Michigan's MI Home Program's investment of $160 million annually for a total of $800 million aims to bypass local regulatory hurdles and tackle housing shortages head-on.
