The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 15 (SB 15), a bipartisan measure that seeks to remove barriers to affordable housing in response to rising home prices and housing shortages. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R), who prioritized the issue, praised the bill’s passage, emphasizing its importance to the state’s economic growth.
“Affordable housing enabled the Texas Miracle and is a cornerstone of our state’s economic success,” Lt. Governor Patrick said in a statement. “People around the world recognize that Texas is a land of opportunity, but our reputation for having affordable housing is now under threat from skyrocketing costs," he warned.
The median home price in Texas has surged by 40% from 2019 to 2023, rising from $240,000 to $335,000. Moreover, a 2024 housing report from the Texas Comptroller’s Office revealed that Texas faces a shortfall of approximately 306,000 homes. The lt. governor pointed to local regulations and permitting issues as primary obstacles preventing new construction from meeting demand.
To address these concerns, SB 15, which was authored by state Senator Paul Bettencourt (R), allows townhomes and starter homes to be built by right in cities with populations exceeding 150,000 that are in counties with more than 300,000 residents.
SB 15 also prohibits city-mandated minimum lot sizes greater than 1,400 square feet in new neighborhoods, granting property owners more freedom to determine lot and home sizes. Existing neighborhoods will not be affected, as property owners can still set higher minimum lot size requirements through deed restrictions and HOA rules.
Lt. Governor Patrick commended state Senator Bettencourt and the Senate Committee on Local Government for tackling the issue.
“Sen. Bettencourt has done a fantastic job championing this issue and passing SB 15,” Lt. Governor Patrick commented. “This bill, along with more legislation to come, will make a huge difference in allowing countless Texans to pursue the American dream.”
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