ATLANTA – Georgia Rep. Dale Washburn, R-Macon, introduced two bills this week aimed at solving the Peach State’s affordable housing shortfall.
The first, House Bill 517, or the Georgia Homeowner Opportunity Act, would prevent counties or municipalities from regulating a long list of building design elements, from the style of porches to the number and types of rooms. The bill would not affect certain historical buildings or the state’s minimum building standards.
A second bill, HB 514, the Housing Regulation Transparency Act, would bar local governments from indefinitely extending moratoriums on new housing construction.
“These bills are intended to lower housing costs, so that our Georgians who would like to buy a home will have a better opportunity on the path to financial freedom and financial stability and … to creating some generational wealth,” Washburn told Capitol Beat Thursday.
Washburn’s bills have drawn the support of a newly formed housing coalition.
“[The bills] will cut government red tape, encourage private sector innovation, and increase access to safe, affordable housing for every Georgian,” said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, one of the groups making up the new coalition. The other members are the Home Builders Association of Georgia, the Georgia Association of Realtors and Habitat for Humanity.
The measures have also garnered support from some Democrats. Rep. Debra Bazemore, R-South Fulton, and Rep. Marvin Lim, D-Norcross, both signed on as co-sponsors, indicating that debates about affordable housing and local government control do not always break along party lines.
“I definitely believe in local control in general, but there are certainly issues and times where we as a state need to stand up ultimately for the people and not just for…
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