Texas' Battle Over High Housing Prices Gains Momentum, With Potential To Reshape The Lone Star State For Decades

Texas' battle over high housing prices, escalating in cities like Austin and Dallas, highlights the growing tension between proponents of denser housing options and established single-family neighborhoods. 

In Austin, a powerful YIMBY (Yes-In-My-Backyard) movement, born from the skyrocketing housing costs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates for housing policies that welcome higher-density homes in traditionally single-family zones. 

Don't Miss:

• This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100.
• Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.

With support from a YIMBY-leaning city council, Austin has passed sweeping reforms to relax zoning, allowing up to three housing units on plots once reserved for single-family homes and significantly reducing lot size requirements. Austin’s mayor, Kirk Watson, emphasizes that inaction on housing affordability isn't viable, underscoring that the city is changing “for better or worse.”

Critics, however, express concerns that allowing high-density developments will push up prices in historically affordable areas, risking further displacement of marginalized communities. Alexia Leclerq, a representative of Community Powered ATX, warns that Austin's recent zoning reforms could intensify this issue, arguing, "We want deeply affordable housing, not policies that make things worse." 

See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." These high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% – 9% make earning passive income easier than ever.

Research backs YIMBY advocates, suggesting that more homes could relieve pressure on existing neighborhoods. Even before recent zoning changes, a surge in new apartment buildings in Austin had driven down rents, offering some relief for residents.

Meanwhile, Dallas presents a cautionary tale of gridlock. A nascent Dallas YIMBY movement, inspired by Austin's policy gains, faced swift opposition from neighborhood advocates who value stability in single-family neighborhoods. Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn argues that Dallas residents who bought homes expect stability, asserting, "People don't want multifamily units mixed into single-family areas." 

Trending: ‘Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones – invest today with $1,000 for just $0.25/share

Dallas YIMBYs, like Hexel Colorado, counter that Dallas must evolve with its population's changing needs, but support from local policymakers has been tepid. Despite endorsement for ForwardDallas — a vision document aimed at diversifying housing types — the city remains wary of endorsing denser developments in established areas.

The issue is rippling across Texas, where the state's once-low-cost housing advantage is slipping. Comptroller Glenn Hegar's warning about Texas' housing trajectory reflects bipartisan unease, with 45% of Texans in favor of reducing lot-size requirements, per a recent poll. Onlookers say that should cities fail to take effective action, the state legislature may intervene. 

Republican and Democratic lawmakers see housing policy as an opportunity to reform zoning, albeit for different reasons: Republicans favor the market freedom it promises, while Democrats see potential for reducing segregation and environmental impacts.

Read Next:

• These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends
• Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – You can still get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $1,000