AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 15, Removing Barriers to Housing Affordability, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston:

“Affordable housing enabled the Texas Miracle and is a cornerstone of our state’s economic success. People around the world recognize that Texas is a land of opportunity, but our reputation for having affordable housing is now under threat from skyrocketing costs. The median home price in our state increased 40% from 2019 to 2023 ($240,000 to $335,000).

“I named affordable housing a priority because Texas must meet the rising demand for homes and apartments in our state. According to the comptroller’s 2024 housing report, our state faces a shortfall of 306,000 homes. Local regulations and permitting issues are stifling our housing supply, rendering our communities unable to meet present and future growth.

“Sen. Bettencourt has done a fantastic job championing this issue and passing SB 15. The Senate Committee on Local Government has risen to the task of finding ways to slash housing regulations and help Texas meet the ever-increasing demand for affordable housing. SB 15, along with more legislation to come, will make a huge difference in allowing countless Texans to pursue the American dream.”

Senate Bill 15, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, allows townhomes and starter homes to be built by right, in new neighborhoods in cities with a population of greater than 150,000 located in counties with a population of 300,000 or more. SB 15 prohibits city-mandated minimum lot sizes greater than 1,400 square feet for new neighborhoods. In these new neighborhoods, property owners will have the freedom to determine the size of the lot and the home. The bill also preserves existing neighborhoods and allows property owners to create higher minimum lot size rules through deed restrictions and HOA rules.