Jocelyn Benson pitches housing plan with homebuyer tax credits, Airbnb tax

March 3, 2026

Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson has unveiled a housing affordability plan aimed at addressing the state's 119,000-unit housing shortage. Her proposal includes tax credits for home down payments, imposing taxes on short-term rentals like Airbnb, and restricting large investment firms from purchasing residential properties. Benson also advocates for reducing regulatory barriers around zoning, building codes, and inspection processes to accelerate housing development.

Who is affected

Families seeking to purchase homes in Michigan
First-time homebuyers and second-time homeowners
Lower-income residents seeking affordable housing options
Housing advocates, local elected officials, and social services workers
Communities facing housing shortages across Michigan
Airbnb operators and short-term rental hosts
Large investment firms purchasing residential properties

What action is being taken

Benson is outlining and proposing her housing affordability agenda
Benson is discussing housing issues with advocates, officials, and workers through roundtables
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is providing grants to help companies build affordable worker housing
A bipartisan group of state legislators is advancing a package of bills to overhaul zoning requirements statewide

Why it matters

This matters because Michigan currently faces a significant housing shortage of 119,000 units, making homeownership increasingly unaffordable for many residents. The housing crisis affects families' ability to live in their desired communities and impacts the state's overall economic health and workforce stability. With housing emerging as a top concern for Michigan residents and garnering bipartisan attention, addressing affordability and supply issues could significantly improve quality of life and economic opportunities for working-class families throughout the state.

What's next

Benson plans to determine specific dollar amounts and structures for the down payment tax credit program
She intends to create a single statewide housing data repository to track Michigan's housing needs
The collected data will be used to flesh out and refine the specific details of her housing proposals
The bipartisan zoning reform legislation package is pending further consideration

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com