Zoning reform is no longer an abstract policy discussion; it is increasingly tied to state legislation with direct implications for local decision-making. Even where there is agreement that more housing is needed, there is less consensus on how to achieve it or how quickly changes should occur.

The reforms do not eliminate neighborhood participation. They attempt to limit its ability to function as a veto. New York’s voters chose to preserve community feedback while limiting its ability to function as a veto.

Treating zoning as outside federal policy debates misses an important opportunity. If federal housing policy helped entrench land-use systems that limit housing supply, it can also encourage reform.

Washington may finally be aligning around the idea that housing affordability depends on building more homes.