Kansas House passes dueling housing bills amid sharp debate
The House approved measures to streamline new housing development and to block cities from mandating acceptance of federal housing vouchers, reflecting a divided Republican-led strategy on tackling the state's housing shortage.
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas House on Wednesday passed a pair of housing bills with starkly different levels of support, highlighting an ideological split on how to address the state's housing crisis. Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved one measure aimed at spurring construction but were sharply divided over another limiting the authority of local governments to enact tenant protections.
The chamber voted 97-27 to pass SB 418, the "by-right housing development act," which creates a streamlined permit approval process for new housing projects that meet existing zoning rules. Supporters, like Rep. Will Carpenter, R-El Dorado, argued the bill would cut bureaucratic red tape and incentivize developers to build more affordable housing across the state. The wide margin of victory suggested broad bipartisan consensus that the state needs to take action to increase its housing stock.
However, the debate became far more contentious over SB 391, which prohibits cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept tenants using federal housing choice vouchers. The bill passed on a narrower 75-49 vote that saw most Republicans in favor and most Democrats opposed. Proponents framed the bill as a defense of private property rights, arguing that landlords should not be forced into contracts with the federal government. Opponents warned the measure would make it harder for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities to find a place to live.
Both bills now return to the Senate for consideration of House amendments.
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