Even in an off-year election, housing was a key issue around the nation for voters at the polls last week.
“This year’s election once again made evident that finding solutions for housing affordability challenges was a key issue for voters—including seven key housing-related ballot measures that the National Apartment Association (NAA) tracked nationwide,” says Greg Brown, senior vice president of government affairs. “Now more than ever is the time for collaboration and action toward real housing solutions. NAA congratulates the newly elected officials and looks forward to working with them on sustainable housing policies that address the supply crisis and improve affordability.”
In New York City, voters approved three ballot proposals related to streamlining and modernizing housing development processes. Proposal 2 will create fast-track public processes for affordable housing as well as a new public review procedure for underdeveloped districts. Proposal 3 will create a simplified review process for certain land use changes, and Proposal 4 will create a new Affordable Housing Appeals Board that would replace the mayor’s veto at the end of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure for developments that would create affordable housing.
In Santa Cruz, California, voters approved Measure C, the Workforce Affordability Act of 2025, to fund affordable housing as well as reduce and prevent homelessness through an annual parcel tax and a real estate transfer tax.
Other housing-related results include:
- In Denver, residents voted yes on all five measures in the Vibrant Denver Bond, unlocking $950 million. One of the measures, Ballot Issue 2E, includes funding for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements and deferred maintenance at permanent supportive housing and shelter facilities, affordable housing development, and a new library that will be co-located with affordable housing;
- In Louisville, Colorado, two measures failed: one that would have restricted residential rezoning in three key areas—except for projects with 30% on-site affordable housing for households at or below 80% of the area median income and another that would expand the types of capital facilities eligible for impact fees on new development—including affordable housing;
- In Bozeman, Montana, a measure that would have amended the code to allow developers to provide cash-in-lieu of water rights if they committed to designating 33% of new dwelling units as affordable failed;
- In Albuquerque, New Mexico, two bonds that will support affordable housing and homelessness resources passed. One measure will provide $27.4 million for community enhancement, including homeless facilities and senior centers, and another will provide $10.2 million to support the Workforce Housing Act to fund the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families and seniors;
- In Columbus, Ohio, voters approved a $1.9 billion bond package that will contribute $500 million for affordable housing and neighborhood development;
- In Knoxville, Tennessee, voters rejected a half-percent sales tax increase that would have contributed $10 million for affordable housing;
- In Bellingham, Washington, voters approved Initiative 2025-03, which will prevent housing providers from interfering with or retaliating against renters engaging in “protected actions,” including tenant organizing, reporting legal violations, and registering other residents to vote; and
- In Ferndale, Washington, residents also passed an initiative that will require housing providers to disclose the monthly rent of a unit, all utilities for which the renter is responsible for, and the amounts of optional or mandatory fees. It also prohibits unfair or excessive fees.