Indiana Governor Signs Bill to Address Housing Costs

New law aims to increase housing supply and affordability by restricting local regulations

Apr. 14, 2026 at 7:40pm

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A realistic oil painting depicting a single-story suburban home in warm, golden light, with deep shadows casting across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the challenges of housing affordability.A new Indiana law aims to spur more affordable housing development by limiting local regulations, as the state grapples with a persistent affordability crisis.Elkhart Today

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has signed into law a Republican-backed bill from the 2026 legislative session that aims to address housing affordability in the state. The new law restricts local governments' ability to impose certain fees and design requirements related to housing development, with the goal of increasing the supply of affordable homes. The bill's author says it builds a 'scaffold' to continue addressing the issue, including through new data reporting requirements for local governments.

Why it matters

Housing affordability has become a major concern in Indiana, with inflation and rising interest rates pricing many first-time home buyers out of the market. This new law is an attempt by the state government to intervene and remove some of the regulatory barriers that have contributed to the housing shortage and high costs.

The details

The new law, known as House Enrolled Act 1001, states that single-family homes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units, and affordable housing on property purchased by religious institutions are permitted uses that can be approved without a public hearing. It also restricts local governments' ability to impose certain fees and design requirements related to housing development. The law gives local governments the option to opt out of many of these provisions through their own ordinances.

  • The law was signed by Governor Mike Braun on April 14, 2026.
  • The law addresses housing affordability issues that have persisted in Indiana since 2022 through 2024 due to high inflation.

The players

Mike Braun

The Republican governor of Indiana who signed the housing affordability bill into law.

Doug Miller

The Republican state representative who authored the housing affordability bill.

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What they’re saying

“Affordable housing is probably that area that, along with property taxes, utility rates, all the other things that go into your monthly budget, it probably is going to be the one that may be up there as most important. For too many Hoosiers, owning that first home has gotten out of reach.”

— Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana

“Housing is an essential long-term asset that helps our communities attract and retain residents, grows the workforce and supports our local economies. This legislation will help more Hoosiers achieve the American dream of owning a home at a price they can afford.”

— Doug Miller, State Representative

What’s next

The new law will go into effect immediately, and local governments in Indiana will have the option to pass their own ordinances to opt out of some of its provisions. The state will also begin collecting new housing development data from local governments as required by the law.

The takeaway

This new law represents a state-level effort to address the growing housing affordability crisis in Indiana by reducing regulatory barriers to new home construction. However, it also raises questions about the balance between state and local control over land use and development decisions.