The 2024 legislative session began on Monday and the momentum for significant housing policy, zoning, and land-use reform is palpable. Legislators from both parties are prepared to advocate for generational solutions to our housing needs.
“After nearly a decade’s worth of work, the dam is about to break,” said Mark Foster, Vice president of legislative & political affairs. “There is a growing and diverse coalition that is geared towards significant housing policy reform. There are very few opportunities for bipartisan work in St. Paul, but we strongly believe that housing can be just that.”
You can expect a handful of significant land-use and zoning reform bills. The centerpiece will be a “Missing Middle” bill introduced by Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL, St. Louis Park) and Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL, Woodbury).
This bill will allow for greater density throughout the state, reduce minimum lot size requirements imposed by local governments, reduce parking requirements, allow for more by-right development, and right-size aesthetic mandates.
Additionally, we expect an environmental review fix bill, additional planned unit development reforms, building permits moving to square footage-based charges, and more.
As in every legislative session, your Housing First Minnesota advocacy team will advocate for homebuyers and the housing industry when proposals that could increase housing costs and/or the cost of doing business are introduced.
We need YOU to get engaged! With bill hearings expected in the early days of session, we will need your help contacting your legislators. Sign up for grassroots alerts by texting HOUSINGFIRST to 52886 or clicking here.
Additionally, the annual Housing Day at the Capitol co-hosted with the Central Minnesota Builders Association is on April 3rd. Register for this year’s event here.
