In New York and Texas, Democrats recently facilitated the death of major pieces of pro-housing legislation.that would have loosened restrictions on the construction of accessory dwelling units, which are secondary units on the lot of a primary home. Just 13 Democrats joined with 55 Republicans in support of the legislation, which would have helped boost housing density in single-family neighborhoods across the state.
Another GOP bill Democrats helped sink would have shrunk the required minimum size of a plot of land needed to build a new home in Texas. Yet another failed piece of legislation would have gotten rid of height restrictions on multi-family homes situated next to single-family homes. that they opposed the measures because they would have allowed state regulations to supercede local laws — a dynamic blue cities in the deeply conservative state are sensitive to.
But that affordability is being threatened — and vanishing altogether — in many parts of the state because supply isn't keeping up with demand.