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Many experts are lauding the recently enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as the most significant national housing legislation to be passed in decades.
From a local standpoint, it encourages zoning reform through voluntary federal guidelines rather than mandates. This differentiates it from the Illinois BUILD Act, which stirred up debate in local communities because officials said it would have forced zoning changes on local municipalities.
How will the new law impact the Tri-Cities?
Here's what to know:
The basics: The law is a mixture of dozens of measures that aim to make it easier (and faster) for developers to build more homes to address a massive housing shortage. It includes support for modular and manufactured housing, blocks large investors who already own 350 or more single-family homes from buying more, and ultimately sends a bipartisan message that we need more housing.
The zoning language: Section 107 of the law directs HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) to publish guidelines and best practices for state and local zoning reform, then track which states and localities choose to adopt them. That's the opposite of BUILD, which officials said would have forced multi-unit housing by right onto Illinois residential lots regardless of local zoning codes.
The view from Metro West: The Metro West Council of Government, the regional group representing Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and dozens of other local municipalities, "aggressively opposed" the BUILD plan because it "did not address affordability and removed any local authority or input for housing," said Executive Director Lesli Melendy via email. She said Metro West is hopeful the new federal law will help address affordable housing.
The numbers behind the urgency: St. Charles' own data shows why the pressure hasn't let up locally. Only 8% of the city's housing stock is considered affordable, the lowest rate the city has recorded in 16 years. New local developments, such as the proposed 105-home Ninth Street Commons project currently working its way through committees in St. Charles, often do not include affordable options (single-family homes would start at $570,000 in this example).
According to the New York Times, the new legislation is built around the notion that local governments hold the decision power over where and how new housing is built.
While the law is unlikely to rapidly change how municipalities shape their communities, its funding incentives may push local officials to ease off of restrictive housing policies by rewarding cities that embrace denser housing and faster permitting processes with better access to block grants.
“We all agree we need more affordable housing and middle housing, however it is not a one-size-fits-all solution at the state level,” Melendy said. “Every municipality is unique and should be allowed to develop their housing as they see fit with support from the state.”
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