Unlike many contemporary issues in America, there is strong bipartisan support for initiatives addressing the growing existential crisis of housing availability and affordability. As we enter 2025, governors from both parties are using their State of the State addresses to outline strategies to confront these challenges.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte (R)
""In Montana, our population grew by nearly 10% between 2010 and 2020, while housing grew by less than 7%. With more people moving to Montana and with not enough homes being built, the price of housing has skyrocketed, putting a key element of the American dream out of reach for many.
Facing the problem, we launched our Housing Task Force, which included legislators, stakeholders, and experts. They developed substantial recommendations, some of which we enacted together in 2023, and now, Montana leads the nation in pro-housing reforms. As a result of our work in 2023, counties and cities are reworking their growth plans, with a keen eye on increasing housing supply and bringing down housing costs.
Another element of our pro-housing reforms is delivering immediate results: the HOMES program. The Board of Investments reports that the HOMES program has led to the construction of nearly 1,000 new homes. This is not a handout. The money the state invests comes back to us to reinvest.
Given the success of this program, we should strengthen it, investing an additional $100 million of one-time-only funding. By boosting the program, the increased proceeds of the fund can lead to the construction of more homes for Montanans. If the fund, and its proceeds, were twice the size they are now, we’d have another thousand homes under construction right now.
There’s more for us to do to make housing more attainable and to keep the American dream alive. Even after our bipartisan, pro-housing reforms in 2023, our housing task force delivered even more recommendations just seven months ago. I look forward to working with each of you to secure more housing solutions for Montanans."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D)
"One of the biggest barriers our families face — when it comes to building wealth — is the skyrocketing costs of housing.
And that is why, last year, our Administration worked with all of you to pass the most sweeping affordable housing legislation in more than 40 years.
And now, as we work to convert that landmark law into action, I am ready to work with you, again, to lower housing costs for New Jerseyans.
This year, I am calling on the Legislature to reform our state’s zoning and permitting laws, with a number of proposals led by Senator Troy Singleton and his colleagues, so we can make it easier to build new housing in the communities where it’s needed most.
By cutting red tape and easing outdated restrictions, we can build potentially thousands of new, affordable housing units over the next decade.
This is absolutely essential to helping our families access new opportunities to improve their economic well-being."
Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R)

We know mortgages and rent are unaffordable for many. This cost, and a shortage of units, drives people out of Vermont and prevents families and workers from moving here.
To me, the issue is obvious, and its solution relies on a basic economic principle: Supply and Demand.
According to the Housing Needs Assessment, it will take 7,200 homes just to break even. And if we want to grow the workforce beyond what we have today, we need over 8,000 homes a year for the next five years. But our current rate is about 2,300. Now, that’s an improvement over the 1,600 a year we saw over the previous decade. But it’s nowhere near enough.
So this session, it’s crucial we pass an actual housing bill, focused on four strategies:First, let’s strengthen our foundation with infrastructure for housing and flood recovery – not just with funding but with a creative expansion of our successful Tax Increment Finance (TIF) program.
Second, we can give a helping hand to neglected communities by continuing to transform dilapidated houses into homes and economic opportunity.
Third, we need more people investing in, and revitalizing, working-class neighborhoods. So let’s continue to grow creative programs like the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP) and help more “mom and pop” investors be part of the solution.
And fourth, if this is truly the crisis we all know it is, let’s treat it like one. In order to make real progress, we must address our appeals process, which has been abused for far too long. And we have a lot more work to do on last year’s land use bill, like expanding the ACT 250 exemptions currently provided to a select few, and giving rural communities a seat at the table, so they too have an opportunity to thrive and grow. As one national housing expert recently put it, it’s long past time to legalize housing."
Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D)

In Colorado, we say “Yes!” to more housing! “Yes” to unlocking prosperity! “Yes” to opportunity
for Coloradans at every budget!
To narrow the gap between supply and demand, we must continue to expand choices, speed up timelines, and reduce costs for new housing to come on the market.
We are looking to do this in three key ways: working with Senator Bridges and Senator Exum to lean into innovation and streamline the process for modular housing options to be built faster and at lower cost; working with Representatives Boesenecker and Woodrow to empower builders to build smart stair apartments or homes; and, alongside Representatives
Boesenecker and Mabrey, and Senator Gonzales, allowing faith based and educational partners to use land they have to build housing we need.
We are already seeing faith leaders step up to be a part of Colorado’s housing future, including at Solid Rock Christian Center in Colorado Springs, now home to 77 affordable multi-family units on church land. Today, we are joined by Pastor Ben Anderson, here today from Colorado Springs, thank you for your leadership and we are excited to see these efforts replicated across the state.
Rather than force developers to build massive one-size-fits-all apartments that take up entire
city blocks, let’s instead empower them to build apartments or homes that fit the neighborhood through smart stair reform.
To unlock housing supply, we need to allow more housing Coloradans want. This includes
condos, which often start at a lower price point, providing more affordable homeownership, and with it, the foundation for wealth building, and building a nest egg for financial security.
And yet in Colorado, we’ve had a major decline in condo construction. Before 2008, condos
made up nearly 20% of new home starts in Colorado, dropping to 5% now. In 2005 there were nearly 3,000 condos on the market under $400,000, and last year, there were only 22.
In the past, this conversation about meaningful condo liability reforms that balance homeowner protections, de-risk the market, and allow for more condos to be built and sold has been stifled on both sides. Let’s turn the page and have a real dialogue about what is preventing condos from being built, and solve for it. I know we can get this done in a way that protects homeowners' rights when there is a defect, but makes it less expensive and cumbersome for builders of all kinds to start projects and deliver housing.
Let’s commit today to work together, side-by-side, with Representative Bird and President
Coleman already leading the way, to make condo ownership more available to more people –
starting now!
We are also seeing - in Colorado and across the country - skyrocketing homeowners insurance rates. I hear from Coloradans across our state who either can’t find coverage to begin with or who are getting priced out of the coverage they have. And the rising cost of insurance isn’t relegated to homeowners alone. It gets passed on to renters, too.
Just as Lord of the Rings fans know that one does not simply walk into Mordor, one does not
simply fix homeowners insurance. Many factors contribute to the soaring cost. But we need to start somewhere, and we need to start now.
Today, I’m calling for needed reforms to tackle the high cost of homeowners insurance and
expand access so that every homeowner can get the insurance they need and learn more about ways to reduce their rates. Thank you to Speaker McCluskie, Representatives Titone and Brown, Senator Amabile, and Assistant Majority Leader Cutter for taking this on, helping to deal with the largest cost drivers like hail and fire, and looking at risk reduction efforts that can lower costs for everyone."
Idaho Governor Brad Little (R)
"It’s true we are victims of our own success. Growth does indeed come with many opportunities, but it also comes with challenges. The cost of owning a home is just too expensive for too many Idaho families. You have all heard me state my goal from day one – to make Idaho the place where our children and grandchildren choose to stay and for the ones who have left to choose to come home. It’s difficult to achieve that goal when home ownership is so far out of reach.
We are feeling the pinch in housing supply. I look forward to working with legislators to remove even more regulatory barriers and further advance needed permitting reforms in order to keep up with housing demand. In 2022, this body put record amounts into workforce housing, creating thousands of homes for Idaho families. Our KEEPING PROMISES plan will help build even more homes so more working families can achieve the American Dream."
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson (D) Inaugural Speech
"Washingtonians need more housing — lots more housing. We must make it easier, faster and less expensive to build housing of all kinds.
The times call for action.
That is why I am signing an Executive Order, immediately following this speech, directing state agencies to review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction and identify any provision that can be streamlined, deferred or eliminated.
This issue is critical. And that’s precisely why I turned to one of our state’s most trusted leaders to lead the Housing task force of my Transition team — Lt. Governor Denny Heck.
Last week, Lt Governor Heck presented me with a 42-page report containing 20 recommendations to address this crisis — including many that reflect ongoing legislative efforts to expand transit-oriented development, protect vulnerable renters and small landlords, and give local governments tools and incentives to improve housing supply and affordability.
Adopting these recommendations is one of my top priorities."
To be updated as more Governors deliver their State of The State addresses in the coming days.
Jonathan Berk is an urbanist and advocate who’s focused his career on building and advocating for walkable communities with vibrant public spaces, abundant housing choices and robust local small business communities. As the Founder of re:MAIN, he's working to accelerate the growth and expansion of walkable neighborhoods, with abundant housing options, through innovative, action-oriented programs. Jonathan@remainplaces.com
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