State legislatures will once again be central to housing policy in 2026. While federal debates draw attention, many of the rules that shape housing cost and availability are written at the state level, often with little public visibility.

Housing Affordability Institute is launching its 2026 state legislative tracking projects to monitor these developments as legislative sessions get underway.

This year, our tracking will focus on state legislation affecting:

• Zoning and land use authority
• Subdivision and development standards
• The statutory frameworks used to adopt and update building codes
• Construciton defect laws
• State housing mandates and procedural requirements

We are particularly interested in legislation that influences construction costs, regulatory discretion, or housing supply—whether by adding new requirements or by removing existing barriers.

As in prior years, this work is intended to provide clear, plain-language summaries of bills that may not receive sustained attention but can have long-term impacts once enacted.

A Note to Reform Advocates

If you are working on state-level housing reform in 2026, we want to hear from you. If you have a bill—introduced or still in draft form—that aims to reduce regulatory barriers or expand housing options, please send it our way.

Updates will be published throughout the year, highlighting notable legislation and emerging trends across states.