State and Local Issues: Land Use and Zoning

Elaborate land use regulations, zoning schemes and outdated policies create a challenging environment for the residential construction industry. In addition, many of these regulations negatively affect housing affordability. NAHB’s State and Local Fund (SLIF) provides financial assistance to HBAs involved in advocacy efforts related to land use such as inclusionary zoning and density.

Revolutionizing Affordable Housing

Anchorage HBA (Alaska)

The Anchorage Home Builders Association (AHBA) is eager to collaborate with NAHB to address challenges posed by local zoning and design codes in the municipality of Anchorage. SLIF will provide AHBA with the necessary financial resources to improve access to affordable housing and foster new opportunities and partnerships with industry experts.

Estimated project cost: $60,000
Funding request: $20,000

Legislative Analysis: South Carolina Senate Bill 309

Senate Bill 309 amends the current law to add code sections 6-7-510 by enacting the South Carolina Inclusionary Act and adding section 6-7-520 which authorizes counties and municipalities to use inclusionary zoning strategies to increase affordable housing availability. If this legislation passes it will require a developer building a housing development to designate a certain number of units for low-income affordable housing. View the analysis.

Pro-Growth Campaign

North Idaho Building Contractors Association

The North Idaho Building Contractors Association plans to use SLIF to help overcome a surge in anti-growth sentiment among local representatives. They plan to combat the anti-growth movement by conducting a campaign through social and other media channels. They have conducted research and gathered data to support their pro-growth stance and that highlight the benefits of the construction industry, including tax revenue generation, job creation, and infrastructure development.

Estimated project cost: $40,000
Requested funding: $20,000

Strategic Communication Plan

HBA of the Greater Kansas City

The HBA of the Greater Kansas City is looking to execute a strategic communications plan for 2024 and beyond. The plan will include an internal branding campaign and work to advocate for pro-housing legislation. The HBA will hire a 3rdparty to conduct a focus group and will explain the value of HBAs and housing across all media channels.

Estimated Project cost: $60,000 +
Requested funding: $20,000

Housing Reform

New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA)

The members of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) are fighting local government ordinances that have placed roadblocks on the home building industry. New Jersey has one of the highest property taxes in the U.S., a lack of development land, restrictive land-use rules, home rules, and high- regulatory costs and approval times for projects. The state lacks at least 200,000 units, and recently, New Jersey was ranked 48th among other states for housing unaffordability. NJBA has budgeted funds and will use SLIF to hire an outside lobbying firm to engage state legislators and the executive branch. Their goal is to address the unaffordability in the state and pass pro-housing legislation.

Estimated project cost: $110,000
Requested funding: $20,000

Combating Housing Affordability in Georgia

HBA of Georgia (Atlanta)

The HBA of Georgia is forming a partnership with the Governor to combat the housing affordability crisis in the state. The state’s leadership is ready to engage with the issue, and the Governor said he would propose funding for workforce housing and legislation to relax local zoning restrictions. A pro-housing representative will present the HBA’s legislative proposals in the Georgia General Assembly. SLIF funds will support the HBAs communications strategy as they educate the public about their proposal.

Funding request: $20,000

No on A, Planning Today for San Diego’s Future

Building Industry Association of San Diego County

Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside Ballot Measure A proposal would require a public vote if an applicant wants to increase their density by five or more units. While the measure would only apply to unincorporated areas, all 18 cities would vote. In addition, it would prohibit density transfers from high residential yield to low yield parcels and prohibit new specific plan formations. The BIA conducted focus groups and polling to help create a targeted “NO” vote message. In addition, the BIA requested SLIF funds to help produce economic reports and ramp up public relations efforts.

Estimated project cost: $2.5 million
Funding request: $20,000

Result: defeated; 50.97% voted “NO.”

Powell, Ohio Ballot Issue

Ohio Home Builders Association and Building Industry Association of Central Ohio (Columbus, Ohio)

A small group of citizens in Powell, Ohio, submitted a petition to their City Council opposing a mixed-use development project inclusive of 64 apartment units. The petition would amend the city charter to create a commission of home owners association (HOA) presidents who would be given authority to draft a plan to limit single-family housing. The city council rejected the petition and the group appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Supreme Court initially rejected the appeal and then reconsidered, ruling that the amendment should be placed on the ballot and voted on during the next election. According to the HBAs the measure would stop growth and economic development, if passed. In response, the HBAs applied for SLIF funding to launch a voter education campaign opposing the measure.

Estimated project cost: $20,000
Funding request: $10,000

Results: Passed with 2,336 votes.

Colorado Limited Growth Initiative

Colorado Association of Home Builders

A Colorado ballot proposal would limit building permits approved in ten “front range” counties to just 1% of the housing stock per year. The counties are the most populated in the state. The HBA petitioned with Title Board, but the board dismissed their motion. In response, the HBA appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court. The home builders hoped the appeal time could deter the proponents from gathering enough signatures since they can only start collecting them once the court has ruled. Furthermore, time will make it more expensive for them. If the proposal were on the ballot, it would harm the housing supply and increase housing costs.

Estimated project cost: $12 million-$16 million
Funding request: $20,000

Results: Not qualified for the ballot.

Three-phased Analysis of the Residential Construction Industry’s Impact on the Economy; Land Availability Analysis; Water Consumption Usage of New Residential Construction

Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA) (Las Vegas)

Nevada is majority-owned by the federal government. Due to the artificial lack of land, water scarcity, and staffing shortages at the Bureau of Land Management office, record-high land prices have driven housing affordability concerns. As a result, with SLIF support, the HBA funded a study on the impact of the residential construction industry, including land availability, water usage and the outcome of halting residential construction.

Estimated Project Cost: $44,500
Funding Request: $20,000

Protecting Homeownership Opportunities

Northshore Home Builders Association (Lacombe, La.)

The HBA fought against a proposed moratorium that would mandate a density of one unit per acre. The moratorium would restrict planned unit development (PUD) and traditional neighborhood development (TND), which offer affordable housing. To help educate anti-growth groups and city council members, the HBA planned to hire a public relations consultant, expand their grassroots efforts and update an existing economic impact study.

Estimated project cost: $60,000
Funding request: $20,000

Standardization of Residential Construction Permitting

Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (Mass.)

Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HB&RACC) members’ building permits wait time is long. Cape Cod has 15 towns and although the city is located in one county, each town has a different system of permit filing, approval process, issuance and schedule. HB&RACC is working on an action plan that will include meeting with town managers and IT Staff, proposing an e-permitting process and working with a local community college to prepare an analysis of the long-term costs.

Estimated project cost: $100,000
Funding request: $20,000

Zoning and Regulatory Reform for Housing for Working Families

Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA) (Phoenix)

Home builders in Central Arizona are fighting against “not in my backyard “(NIMBY) groups and elected officials who are unwilling to reform existing housing policies due to anti-growth sentiment from constituents. HBACA launched a campaign to promote development and housing affordability. With SLIF support, the campaign included policy recommendations for zoning, redevelopment, public-private partnerships and support for affordable housing legislation.

Estimated project cost: $50,000
Funding request: $20,000

Modernization of Zoning & Platting Laws

Oklahoma Home Builders Association

The HBA applied for SLIF funds to hire an external lobbyist and create informational materials to support their legislative push to update the state’s zoning and platting laws.

Estimated project cost: $65,000
Funding requested: $20,000

San Diego Inclusionary Housing Regulations Update

Building Industry Association of San Diego (BIASD)

BIASD applied for SLIF funding to conduct polling, studies and legal analysis to counter the San Diego city council’s efforts to increase the city’s inclusionary zoning regulations that require units to be set aside for households earning below a certain area medium income (AMI) threshold. The city council plans to rewrite the mandates without conducting an economic analysis. The BIASD is gathering data, preparing a public outreach campaign and forming a coalition to oppose the legislation.

Estimated project cost: $175,000
Funding request: $15,000

Inclusionary Zoning Public Relations Campaign

Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado (HBASC) (Durango, Colo.)

HBASC executed a robo-call-based education campaign to explain the ineffectiveness of proposed inclusionary zoning ordinances, which would significantly raise in-lieu fees. In addition, the HBA applied for SLIF funding to run local newspaper ads and radio spots that will support their existing media strategy.

Estimated project cost: $16,050
Funding request: $7,200

Loudon County Tennessee Moratorium on Planned Unit Development (PUD)

Home Builders of Greater Knoxville (Tenn.)

The Loudon County Commission placed a moratorium on Planned Unit Development (PUD) which would jeopardize future home developments in the county. HBAGK hired a campaign consultant to highlight the issue in the upcoming Loudon County elections. The goal is to inform voters in key districts to flip the seats of current commissioners opposed to PUDs and support incumbent commissioners who support PUDs. A consultant will create a direct mail and text messaging campaign targeted to voters in critical voting districts. HBAGK is also considering newspaper ads, billboards and social media ads.

Estimated project cost: $35,000-$40,000
Funding request: $20,000

Chicago Affordable Requirements Ordinance Advocacy Campaign

HBAGC applied for SLIF funding to create a social media-driven education campaign to repeal or modify Chicago’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO). The HBA seeks to coordinate with coalition groups and boost the industry’s voice in the conversation about the ARO, as in-lieu fees had risen drastically in prior years.

Estimated project cost: $125,000
Funding request: $20,000