Gov. Meyer Signs Housing Development Reform Bills

Dover, Del. – On Wednesday, Gov. Matt Meyer (D-Delaware) was joined by legislators, state officials and housing advocates for a bill signing ceremony to sign two major housing and permitting reform bills.

Senate Bill 23, also known as the Housing for Every Delawarean Act, is meant to boost the state’s affordable housing production through zoning reform. House Bill 450, also known as the Reforming Opportunities and Accelerated Development for Delaware (ROAD-DE) Act, reforms land use and how traffic impact studies are conducted.

Together, officials say the bills streamline permitting and drive plans for more affordable housing and reduce the time and cost of building homes.

“You cannot solve the housing shortage without building more housing,” Meyer said. “The delays cost us more than housing. They cost us jobs. They push up energy costs, and they put us further behind our neighbor states.”

Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Shanté Hastings said that as Delaware continues to grow, officials have to make sure infrastructure investments and land use decisions are working together.

“HB 450 gives us additional tools to better coordinate transportation and development, including changes to our development review process and a statewide approach to transportation impact fees that can help address infrastructure needs associated with growth,” she said.

However, Meyer said the solution isn’t one-size-fits-all. He said the state will prioritize working with local and county governments to ensure developments make sense for residents.

“We need to continue work together, collaborating and see the best way forward, step by step, to get this right for every community across our state,” he said.