Amid growing state scrutiny, counties are being urged to adopt locally tailored solutions to address the housing shortage and avoid state preemption.
A key trend emerging from recent legislative sessions is the sustained focus on housing policy. Once primarily the responsibility of counties and municipalities, housing is increasingly drawing the attention of state policymakers due to a multi-faceted and prolonged shortfall in affordable housing production. This shift has placed growing pressure on local governments to adopt more innovative and adaptive policy approaches—while still addressing the unique needs of their communities.
Supporting this evolution is Strong Towns, a nonprofit organization gaining influence in the “Yes In My Back Yard” (aka YIMBY) movement. The organization aims to equip local governments with practical, community-centered strategies to address today’s housing challenges. As part of its approach, Strong Towns recommends that local jurisdictions consider the following six policies to increase affordable housing options:
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Allow single-family home conversions to duplexes or triplexes by right – Simplify policies to enable homeowners to create additional housing within existing structures.
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Permit backyard cottages in all residential zones – Allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to diversify housing types in established neighborhoods.
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Legalize starter homes in all residential zones – Remove barriers to building smaller (400–800 square feet), more affordable homes for first-time buyers and downsizing households.
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Eliminate minimum lot size requirements – Encourage more efficient land use by lifting some limitations on housing density.
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Repeal parking mandates for housing – Let property owners determine appropriate parking needs, reducing development costs and land consumption.
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Streamline the approval process – Establish a clear, efficient permitting process to ensure timely approval of conversions, ADUs, and starter homes—ideally within 24 hours.
While these recommendations are not intended as a universal solution and may not be appropriate in every community, they offer a starting point for locally driven innovation. The General Assembly has signaled that if counties do not act boldly to address housing challenges, the state may consider overriding local control. As such, local leaders must proactively explore and tailor solutions that align with both community values and broader housing needs.