Watch the vote live here: www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/t... @texastribune.org

Catch up on our reporting on Texas' housing affordability crisis here: www.texastribune.org/series/texas... @texastribune.org #txlege

@carla-astudi.bsky.social & I did a deep dive last year looking at rules in Texas cities that restrict how many homes can be built — a key driver of the state's high housing costs.

Here are five takeaways from our reporting: www.texastribune.org/2024/10/30/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

Texas needs about 320K more homes than it has, per one estimate.

But Texas cities have rules that effectively limit how many homes can be built, rules that state lawmakers may loosen this year:

www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

Some ideas Texas lawmakers are weighing to address the state's high housing costs:

-Make it easier to build accessory dwelling units
-Allow single-family homes on smaller lots
-Allow religious groups to build homes on their land

www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

As Texas faces a housing crunch, state Sen. Bryan Hughes' bill would automatically allow homes to be built in places that now only allow:

-Offices
-Commercial development
-Retail
-Warehouses

www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

Check out the @texastribune.org's coverage of the state's housing crisis here: www.texastribune.org/series/texas... #txlege

Texas lawmakers will likely look at other ways to reduce housing costs:

-Cutting property taxes (likely)
-Reining in institutional investors' homebuying activity (🤷‍♂️)
-Spending more on housing for low-income families (doubtful)

www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

Some Texas lawmakers may balk at moves to allow more homes in predominantly single-family neighborhoods.

A bill filed by a Lubbock Republican would shield single-family neighborhoods from cities' attempts to allow more housing.

www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

State lawmakers may consider reducing how much land Texas cities require single-family homes to be built on.

One GOP bill would tackle lot-size requirements, which can drive up a home's final cost & limit how many homes can be built apps.texastribune.org/features/202... @texastribune.org #txlege

Texas lawmakers could make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs in the backyards of single-family homes.

Two GOP lawmakers have filed bills aimed at doing so after a similar one died in the Texas House in 2023. www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

Texas lawmakers could look for ways to build more homes & put a dent in the state's housing shortage.

One avenue they may go down: addressing local regulations critics say prevent the state from adding enough homes to meet demand.

apps.texastribune.org/features/202... @texastribune.org #txlege

One way Texas lawmakers may try to solve the state's housing affordability crisis: addressing Texas' deep housing shortage.

Texas needs about 320,000 more homes than it has, per a recent estimate.

www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!