It can make further progress toward achieving fairness in how existing funds such as the education cost sharing grants are apportioned to municipalities by linking more of these dollars to approvals of new housing. By rewriting our zoning and planning statutes, the state can provide automatic zoning density bonuses to encourage higher density, open space or mixed-use developments that are designed smart. The state should consider the sprawl consequences of its own as well as of local governments open space purchase programs and locally imposed large lot requirements. That is, by purchasing more land for open space closer in to urban areas, or by forcing all new homes to be placed on large lots, new developments needed by a growing work force and changing demographics are automatically pushed out to outlying areas. Thus, the state should develop incentives or requirements that counter these pro-sprawl state and local decisions.
New housing is a critical part of the infrastructure of any economy.
Until the state comprehensively and aggressively addresses the housing wants and needs of its current and future citizens at all income levels our other efforts to keep our economy going will be for naught. See also our Key Policy Note on the use of our land resources.