April 27, 2026
Idaho Rejects “Own Nothing and Be Happy”
By: ID Senator Tammy Nichols
There has been a lot of discussion about two housing bills passed this session that I co-sponsored: S1352a (Starter Home Subdivisions) and S1354a (Accessory Dwelling Units). Some people have claimed these laws take away local control or will dramatically change Idaho communities. I believe much of that concern comes from misunderstanding what these bills actually do.
These are not sweeping mandates. They are a light-touch response to a real housing challenge facing Idaho families, seniors, and young adults.
For years, Idaho has seen rising home prices, shrinking inventory, and fewer options for working families trying to buy their first home. At the same time, many of our children are growing up here, graduating here, and then leaving because they cannot afford to stay.
That should concern all of us.
My first home in Meridian was in a starter-home subdivision. It was a modest 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, just over 1,000 square feet, and I purchased it for $80,000 in 1996. It was not fancy, but it was attainable, and it was a sacrifice that we were excited, yet scared to make. It was a starting place, and it helped build a future. Too many young families today do not even have that kind of opportunity.
S1352a creates a path for starter-home subdivisions in larger cities. These are smaller, more affordable homes designed to help first time buyers enter the market. Just as important, the law still protects cities by allowing them to condition or deny approval if roads, water, sewer, or other infrastructure cannot support the project.
That means cities still have authority to manage growth responsibly.
S1354a is also modest and practical. It allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, either inside the main home or one small, detached unit in the backyard, subject to setbacks. This could be a mother-in-law suite, basement apartment, garage conversion, or backyard cottage.
That is not overdevelopment. That is common sense.
These housing options can help seniors stay near family, help young adults get started, provide space for caregivers, or help homeowners offset rising costs. They create gentle growth without large apartment complexes or massive subdivisions.
Meanwhile, apartments are already being built across Idaho at much higher density, yet many critics say little. But when we talk about smaller homes, ownership opportunities, or a modest backyard cottage, concerns suddenly grow.
What Idaho families are facing is a growing housing squeeze.
Homeownership has always been part of the American Dream, the chance to build stability, raise a family, create equity, and own something of your own. Yet more Americans are missing out on that opportunity.
Today, only about 12% of Americans are married and own a home by age 30, compared with 52% in 1960. Here in the Treasure Valley, median home prices often range from the mid $400,000s to over $500,000 depending on location. For many young families, that dream feels farther away every year.
Because of that, many young couples delay marriage, delay children, or move elsewhere in search of affordable housing.
We see it in Idaho as many of our own kids leave because they cannot afford to stay. Seniors on fixed incomes are struggling as well. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road while the next generation loses opportunities previous generations once had.
These bills also align with President Trump’s recent executive order focused on increasing housing supply and affordability.
Idaho rejects the growing global mindset captured in the phrase, “You will own nothing and be happy.”
We still believe in private property, homeownership, strong families, and the freedom to build a future.
These laws are not about changing Idaho. They are about preserving what made Idaho strong in the first place, a place where ordinary people can still own a home, raise a family, and build a life.
These two bills are not the only answer. We also need lower taxes, reduced regulations, responsible growth planning, infrastructure investment, and an economy where wages can keep up with costs. But we cannot keep kicking the can down the road while the next generation loses opportunities previous generations once had.
In Liberty,
Sen. Tammy Nichols
