How about a small auxiliary residence behind a larger main house? Pay attention, it could happen in Willow Park, thanks to your elected, state officials.
- WPC Staff
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Summary: The current 89th, Texas Legislature in debating more than a dozen bills to support affordable housing. As part of a potential slate of solutions to Texas’ housing affordability crisis, state senators recently examined a bill authorizing the use of small auxiliary residences behind a larger main house.
• Latest Update: Tuesday, 01 April, 2025
How about a small auxiliary residence behind a larger main house? Pay attention, it could happen in Willow Park, thanks to your elected, state officials.
• Communicate with your elected officials; 89th TX Legislative Session Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 01 April 2025
The current 89th, Texas Legislature in debating more than a dozen bills to support affordable housing.
As part of a potential slate of solutions to Texas’ housing affordability crisis, state senators recently examined a bill authorizing the use of small auxiliary residences behind a larger main house. [1]
United Neighborhoods of Fort Worth, founded about three years ago in an effort against short-term rentals, has opposed at least a dozen bills. “Average citizens are not aware of how deeply their neighborhoods will be affected if any of these targeted bills pass,” said Marsha Wright, a long-time Fort Worth resident who co-founded the group with Carol Peters.[1]
A large influx of residents [3] has forced median home prices in Texas to oncrease by 40% between 2013 and 2019. [1] Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, jolted a recent meeting by reporting that the median age for first-time home buyers is now 54. Fewer than 10% of homes built in the U.S. are starter homes. In the 1980s, it was 40%. [1]
The current list of bills in the 89th Legislative session is as follows:
Senate Bill 15 Senate Bill 15 that cleared the Senate March 19 as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority measures to permit smaller homes in new neighborhoods. [2]
House Bill 878, Senate Bill 673 and House Bill 1779: Authorizes accessory dwelling units, a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot, often referred to as a granny flat or in-law suite. Accessory dwelling units offer flexible living space and potential savings on rent. Opponents say the concept undercuts zoning requirements.
Senate Bill 854 by Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, and Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston: Authorizes cities to permit multifamily and mixed-use housing on religious and church property without requiring zoning changes or municipal approval. Also limits municipal government ability to regulate height, setbacks and parking requirements.
House Bill 2464 by Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant: Loosens regulations on home-based businesses, enabling their operations with reduced zoning requirements and relaxed municipal oversight. No-impact, home-based businesses would still be prohibited from alcohol sales, illegal drugs and sexually-oriented businesses.
"Proposals to encourage more affordable housing in the state take several approaches, including
• state assistance programs,
• reduction in regulation, platting, and permitting requirements,
• refund of taxes on building materials for certain housing,
• and limits on single-family homes owned by corporate owners for rental purposes.
Additionally, legislators propose
• restrictions on the regulation of accessory dwelling units by political subdivisions, and
• additional requirements and prohibitions applicable to landlords. One proposal requires a landlord to accept a promulgated verified residential rental form, with the Department of Housing and Community Affairs to verify the information and run a credit report and criminal history. [4]
Willow Park Civics Sources and Resources
• ‘Striking close to home’: Zoning bills tackling Texas affordable housing crisis evoke emotion, Fort Worth Report 24 March 2025
As part of a potential slate of solutions to Texas’ housing affordability crisis, state senators recently examined a bill authorizing the use of small auxiliary residences behind a larger main house.
Retired Arlington attorney David Schwarte, a representative of the Texas Neighborhood Coalition, told the Senate Local Government Committee accessory dwelling units would “kill single family zoning” by allowing two homes on lots zoned for one.
The testimony on a lower floor of the Capitol encapsulated just a small portion of what has become perhaps one of the most impassioned debates of the 89th legislative session, encompassing such emotional themes as access to housing and the sanctity of neighborhoods.
Median home prices in Texas rose by 40% between 2013 and 2019, the Texas comptroller’s office said in a recent study, citing data from Texas A&M Research Center.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, jolted a recent meeting by reporting that the median age for first-time home buyers is now 54.
More than a dozen bills are under consideration, including Senate Bill 15 that cleared the Senate March 19 as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority measures to permit smaller homes in new neighborhoods.
One bill allowing mixed-use and multifamily development on religious land has widely been dubbed as “YIGBY,” or Yes in God’s Backyard.
United Neighborhoods of Fort Worth, founded about three years ago in an effort against short-term rentals, has opposed at least a dozen bills.
“Average citizens are not aware of how deeply their neighborhoods will be affected if any of these targeted bills pass,” said Marsha Wright, a long-time Fort Worth resident who co-founded the group with Carol Peters.
Less than 10% of homes built in the U.S. are starter homes. In the 1980s, it was 40%.
[2] Texas Senate advances bill to allow smaller homes on smaller lots, The Texas Tribune, 19 March 2025
Senate Bill 15 — a top priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate — would reduce the amount of land cities require single-family homes in new subdivisions to sit on. The idea is to reduce the final cost of new homes by allowing homebuilders to construct smaller homes on smaller lots. The bill cleared the Senate by a 28-3 vote.
[3] Revised Census data: Texas counties reported massive growth over the year, The Center Square. 21 March 2025
Texas counties saw a massive influx of residents from July 2023 to 2024, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Four of the top 10 counties reporting the greatest numeric growth and the greatest percentage growth were in Texas, according to the data.
Texas’ Harris County reported the greatest population growth last year in the U.S. While it reported gains, the top two most populous counties, Los Angeles and Cook, reported losses.
Top counties reporting the greatest numeric growth were Harris (105,852), Miami-Dade, FL (64,211), Maricopa, AZ (57,471), Collin, TX (46,694), Clark, NV (44,586), King, WA (43,398), Cook, IL (40,095), Broward, FL (34,686), Montgomery, TX (34,268) and Tarrant, TX (32,793).
When it comes to metro areas by numeric growth, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked second and third in the country adding 213,403 and 198,171 people, respectively, over the year, according to the data.
[4] 89th Texas Legislature Bills to Keep an Eye On , Texas A&M University, Texas Real Estate Research Center
Affordable Housing and Leasing
Proposals to encourage more affordable housing in the state take several approaches, including state assistance programs; reduction in regulation, platting, and permitting requirements; refund of taxes on building materials for certain housing; and limits on single-family homes owned by corporate owners for rental purposes. Additionally, legislators propose restrictions on the regulation of accessory dwelling units by political subdivisions, and additional requirements and prohibitions applicable to landlords. One proposal requires a landlord to accept a promulgated verified residential rental form, with the Department of Housing and Community Affairs to verify the information and run a credit report and criminal history.
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