ROUND ROCK – Governor Abbott today announced the next phase of his Keep Texas Affordable agenda, aimed at lowering the cost of housing and allowing homeowners to build additional structures on their own property to meet household needs.
“One thing that is driving up the cost of housing is local government regulations that undermine housing affordability reforms,” said Governor Abbott. “Going forward, any city or county violating the law will have its sales tax revenue withheld, including those who skirted the housing reform laws I signed last session. We will also protect the right of Texans to build additions on their own property.”
After meeting with Texas families in Round Rock, the Governor highlighted two new affordability policy initiatives that will strengthen Texas’ pro-housing reforms by prohibiting local governments from imposing costly design mandates, luxury requirements, and other unnecessary restrictions that drive up housing costs. Governor Abbott also discussed a proposal that will allow Texans to build additions on their own property. This critical reform will remove unnecessary local barriers and create new housing opportunities for families.
The Governor noted that these proposals build on his broader Keep Texas Affordable agenda, including his five-point property tax plan, a freeze on tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities, the Texas roof fortification program, a policy to reward safe drivers with lower premiums, the new Essential Health Benefits insurance plan, and capping the cost of life-saving medications.
Read here to learn more about Governor Abbott’s new Keep Texas Affordable initiatives. Read here to learn more about his previous affordability initiatives.
Additional photos of the event will be provided here when available.