Looking Ahead Georgia Georgia lawmaker Dale Washburn introduced two bills designed to address the state’s affordable housing shortages in February. House Bill 417 would prevent counties or municipalities from regulating a long list of building design elements, from the style of porches to the number of rooms. The bill doesn’t affect historical buildings or the state’s minimum building standards. For developers, this law opens the door for new projects in the state and makes more asset classes viable. The second bill, House Bill 514, would bar local governments from indefinitely extending moratoriums on new housing construction. Local moratoriums or zoning holds have held back new development in communities across the state in the past. Powder Springs, a suburban city in the Atlanta metro, issued a 6-month hold on new residential zonings in 2022. Similarly, the Roswell City Council voted to remove multi-family zoning districts and prevent developers from submitting rezoning applications for standalone apartments. Representatives say the two bills are meant to cut bureaucratic red tape, boost private sector innovation, and increase access to affordable housing for Georgians. The bills are receiving bipartisan support, suggesting the legislation could be viable, though local regulatory groups have voiced opposition. If passed into law, the second bill would be good news for developers, preventing projects from getting stalled out in the regulatory process. Key Facts Status Most Impact Approach Legislation in debate Multi-family housing throughout the state Avg. House Price 2023 Population Growth From 2010-2020 $306,000 up 10.6% or 1,024,255 people 19