All solutions
Streamline permitting
Office-to-housing conversions
Make it easy to turn empty offices into apartments people actually live in.
Written by YIMBY LawWhat it does
Convert vacant office space into housing — expanding supply, revitalizing downtowns, and maximizing infrastructure that already exists.
Why localities should pursue office-to-housing conversions
The problem
Since COVID, office vacancy climbed to nearly 20% by the end of 2024. Struggling downtowns sit on empty commercial real estate while the same regions face housing shortages — vacant buildings, falling tax revenue, and less street life feeding on each other.
The fix
Make conversion of office and commercial buildings to housing straightforward: by-right approval along commercial corridors, plus public-private tools where the math needs help. Downtowns already have the transit and job access — conversions turn that into high-opportunity housing while boosting activity and tax revenue.
“”Office conversions are a win-win: they address the housing shortage while revitalizing struggling areas — without new construction.
YIMBY Law
Crafting the policy
What separates versions that produce homes from versions that produce headlines.
Must include
- By-right development
- Enable public-private partnerships
Watch out for
- Parking as the compromise
- Strict affordability measures
- Subjective design standards
Why each one matters
After it passes
What to watch so the law turns into homes.
- 1
Set clear, close effective dates in the legislation
- 2
Allow tax abatements, grants, or direct subsidies to reduce conversion costs
- 3
Add clear enforcement mechanisms with an appeals process or legal recourse
Make the case
What to say at public comment, in a letter to council, or to a neighbor.
Talking points
Say them at public comment, put them in a letter to your council, or send them to a neighbor. Copy any one.
Likely allies
The groups that tend to show up for it.
6 likely allies
- Affordable housing developers
- Apartment management associations
- Chambers of commerce
- Environmental groups
- Heavy construction & homebuilder associations
- Redevelopment authorities
Wins & momentum
Where it has already passed.
2wins so far
- 2
Related primers
Bringing this to your city council?
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