Governor Abbott Signs Housing Bills to Boost Affordability Across Texas

Governor Greg Abbott (R) ceremonially signed Senate Bill 15, Senate Bill 840, and House Bill 24 into law during a bill signing event at the Texas Capitol, marking a significant step in addressing the state’s ongoing housing affordability crisis.

Abbott praised the legislation as a move toward making homeownership more attainable for Texans.

“Housing affordability is one of the key issues on the minds of Texans today,” said Abbott. “Thankfully, we have taken large steps to make the American dream of affording a home a reality.”

Senate Bill 15, authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R) and Rep. Gary Gates (R), restricts cities from imposing excessive land use requirements on large unplatted tracts of land. It allows smaller lot sizes and prohibits cities from requiring features like covered parking or excessive setbacks that can drive up construction costs. Lawmakers expect this change to encourage denser, more affordable residential development in both urban and rural areas.

Senate Bill 840, carried by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R) and Rep. Cole Hefner (R), opens the door for multifamily and mixed-use housing in areas currently zoned for office, retail, or warehouse use. It also limits the ability of municipalities to impose additional fees or development barriers, accelerating the process for bringing new housing to market in high-demand cities.

House Bill 24, authored by Rep. Angelina Orr (R) and also sponsored by Sen. Hughes, reforms the long-criticized “valid petition” process that allowed small groups of residents to block zoning changes. The updated law makes it easier to approve zoning changes that allow for more homes, which lawmakers argue will improve both supply and affordability.

With these new laws, state leaders are signaling a shift toward reducing local restrictions in order to confront Texas’s housing shortage head-on.