Housing affordability takes center stage in Texas legislature as SB 15 clears Senate, targeting urban zoning rules that restrict flexible development of smaller homes

Austin, Texas – In a significant legislative move, the Texas Senate has recently passed Senate Bill 15 with an overwhelming majority of 29-2 votes. The bill, authored by Senator Paul Bettencourt from Houston and supported as a priority by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, aims to address the pressing housing affordability crisis that grips the state. With the bill now advancing to the Texas House of Representatives, it represents a crucial step towards making homeownership more accessible for Texans.

Senator Bettencourt emphasized the urgency of the situation by highlighting the staggering statistic from the Texas Comptroller’s 2024 Housing Report, which notes a shortfall of over 306,000 homes.

“The housing affordability crisis in Texas is real with a 306,000 shortfall—and we’re facing it head-on,” said Sen. Bettencourt. “With the average age of a first-time homebuyer now at 54 and rising, we must act to bring the dream of homeownership back within reach for Texas families,” he added.

SB 15 specifically targets the regulatory barriers that have hampered housing development in the state’s fastest-growing urban areas. By eliminating city-imposed minimum lot sizes greater than 1,400 square feet for new subdivisions in larger cities, the bill allows developers the flexibility to construct a variety of more affordable housing options such as townhomes and starter homes.

It carefully balances growth with preservation by exempting current developments, homeowners’ association requirements, and deed restrictions, thus safeguarding existing neighborhoods and water supplies.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick lauded the bill for cutting through bureaucratic red tape and allowing the market to better address the needs of the community.

“Local regulations and permitting issues are choking our housing supply and making it impossible for our communities to meet current and future demand,” he explained.

The bipartisan support for SB 15 is evident from the coalition of 10 Senate joint authors who have come together to back the initiative.

“We are unblocking government regulations from getting in the way of private sector for housing affordability solutions,” Bettencourt added, praising the collaborative effort across party lines.

As SB 15 moves to the Texas House, where a companion bill is already in place, the focus on housing affordability continues to be a major agenda for this legislative session. Further proposals to expand accessory dwelling units (ADUs), streamline permitting processes, and repurpose commercial spaces for residential use are also progressing from the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Senator Bettencourt, to the Senate floor.

This legislative action reflects a concerted effort by Texas lawmakers to tackle an issue that affects a significant portion of the state’s population, aiming to restore the attainability of the American Dream of homeownership in Texas.