Wyoming Neighbors for Housing knows the state’s housing challenges are fundamentally driven by a shortage of accessible housing. Across the state, demand for housing has grown faster than supply, making it nearly impossible for workers, families, seniors, and young people to find homes they can afford near where they work and live. In addition the increase in home prices and rent has greatly outpaced any increase in wages of Wyoming earners. 

When communities do not have enough housing options, prices increase, employers struggle to retain workers, and families are forced to look elsewhere. That is why our work focuses on increasing the supply and variety of housing through practical, locally-driven solutions that reduce barriers to building, support workforce housing, and help communities create more opportunities for current and future generations of Wyoming residents. 

Legalize More Housing Types
Builders and developers should have the freedom to build the types of housing our communities need.

• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

• Duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes

• Townhomes and small apartment buildings

• Manufactured and modular housing

• Mixed-use housing in commercial areas

Reduce Restrictive Zoning
These reforms are intended to give communities the freedom to build more homes in high-demand areas and to increase housing density.

• Limit exclusionary single-family-only zoning

• Reduce minimum lot size requirements

• Allow housing in commercial corridors

• Permit office-to-residential conversions

• Prevent excessive aesthetic mandates (brick or rock requirements)

Streamline Permitting & Approvals
Time is money in housing development, and delays increase building costs. Builders and developers need freedom from bloated government bureaucracy.

• Require predictable permitting timelines

• Encourage by-right approvals for compliant projects

• Limit unnecessary hearings and delays including protest petition regulations

• Standardize development review processes

Reduce Parking Mandates
Mandates limit options our communities have to solve housing problems.

• Mandatory parking requirements:

• Increase construction costs

• Reduce buildable land

• Limit smaller housing types

Focus Housing Near Jobs
The goal is to reduce commuting costs and improve workforce access to jobs.

• Allow apartments in commercial zones

• Encourage mixed-use development

• Support redevelopment of underused land

• Promote housing near employment centers and transit (where applicable in Wyoming)

Support Workforce & Starter Housing

• Create workforce housing funds (housing investment funds)

• Incentivize starter homes

• Support financing tools for smaller builders

• Expand infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, electricity) funding tied to housing