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Polis urges HOME Act and $200M to free up housing, expand ADUs and speed contracts
Summary
Governor Jared Polis proposed the Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME) Act to build housing on underused land, backed efforts to expand accessory dwelling units and asked the Joint Budget Committee for $200 million in one‑time funding to make the senior homestead exemption portable.
Governor Jared Polis used his final State of the State address to push a multi‑pronged housing agenda aimed at increasing supply and lowering costs. He proposed the Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME) Act to partner higher education, nonprofits, transit agencies, school districts and housing authorities to build on underutilized land.
Polis said the administration has removed some procedural barriers, citing a reduction in Department of Local Affairs contract turnaround times “to 33 days, down from 61 days two years ago,” and credited Maria de Cambra for leading those efforts. He also highlighted bipartisan measures that expand the ability for homeowners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) near transit and named several legislators involved in ADU and construction‑defect reforms.
As part of his budget pitch, Polis asked the Joint Budget Committee to identify $200,000,000 in one‑time funding to make the senior homestead exemption portable and flexible so seniors can downsize without losing tax relief. "Doing so will require, as the joint budget committee knows, finding $200,000,000 in 1 time funding for this year," Polis said. The governor framed the request as a way both to support seniors and to free up homes for younger families.
Next steps: Polis' HOME Act is a legislative proposal that will require bill drafting and committee referrals; the $200 million request must be acted on by the Joint Budget Committee during the budget process.
