Blog Layout

Louisiana Senate OKs Effort to Promote Affordable Housing and Property Rights

LOUISIANA REALTORS • Apr 09, 2018
Louisiana senators approved Monday night legislation that would assert state authority over local zoning efforts to create affordable housing. Currently, Louisiana allows municipalities and parishes to pass inclusionary zoning ordinances to promote the development of affordable housing. Inclusionary zoning requires housing developers to sell or rent a proportion of their units below market rate, regardless of the economics of a project or whether the developer receives just compensation. 

Senate Bill 462 would instead allow municipalities and parishes to offer VOLUNTARY economic incentive policies to promote the development of affordable housing.The measure was approved on a vote of 26-11. SB462 would replace the term “inclusionary zoning” with “voluntary economic incentive policies,” which will allow parishes and municipalities to incentivize affordable housing opportunities by limiting regulatory burdens on the housing industry.

State Sen. Danny Martiny, the Metairie Republican who sponsored the measure, pointed out that a similar bill was approved last year by the state Senate, then was sidelined in the House on promises that the New Orleans City Council would address the issue.

Louisiana REALTORS has been working with homebuilders, developers, and other entities to follow this issue. Members were alerted with a Call for Action over the past couple of weeks and over 700+ responded by contacting their senators. The legislation now heads to the Louisiana House for consideration and we encourage members to stay engaged on this issue. 
Portions of this post were taken from an article originally published in the Advocate -
by Mark Ballard on April 9, 2018
By Louisiana REALTORS® 19 Apr, 2024
Bill Tracking Report as of 4/19/2024
By Louisiana REALTORS® 18 Apr, 2024
A Message from Ken Fears, NAR Director of Conventional Finance and Valuation Policy
Why the Fair Housing Act is So Important
By Louisiana REALTORS® 17 Apr, 2024
Since REALTORS® are essential in enabling housing access for all people, regardless of background or attributes, they view adherence to the FHA as both a legal and moral responsibility.
Show More
Share by: