Michigan · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on housing?
Jocelyn BensonDemocrat
John JamesRepublican
Part of the full Michigan Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Housing
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Jocelyn Benson
Proposes faster permitting, expanded homebuyer and property tax credits, barring private equity from buying homes in their first 100 days on the market, and taxing short-term rentals.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposalMarch 2, 2026
Her housing plan, released March 2, 2026, would expand home construction through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, speed up permitting, offer a tax credit for families ready to buy a home, expand the Homestead Property Tax Credit, bar private equity firms and large investors from buying single-family homes in their first 100 days on the market, track and tax short-term rentals while letting localities regulate them, and strengthen renter protections and rental assistance. 2 sourcesICYMI: Benson Is the Only Candidate with a Plan to Lower Housing Costs (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · March 3, 2026 · CampaignJocelyn Benson (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Asked in the Oct. 15, 2026 debate whether she supports property tax relief, said the state and local communities need a better revenue-sharing model and referred to a weighted equity funding model to lower property taxes for families. SourceLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalMarch 2, 2026
Her housing plan, released March 2, 2026, would expand home construction through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, speed up permitting, offer a tax credit for families ready to buy a home, expand the Homestead Property Tax Credit, bar private equity firms and large investors from buying single-family homes in their first 100 days on the market, track and tax short-term rentals while letting localities regulate them, and strengthen renter protections and rental assistance. 2 sourcesICYMI: Benson Is the Only Candidate with a Plan to Lower Housing Costs (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · March 3, 2026 · CampaignJocelyn Benson (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Asked in the Oct. 15, 2026 debate whether she supports property tax relief, said the state and local communities need a better revenue-sharing model and referred to a weighted equity funding model to lower property taxes for families. SourceLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
John James
Says the state should reduce codes, regulations and other barriers that he says raise the cost of building homes, and calls for lower property taxes.
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- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Says the state should reduce unnecessary barriers to development, including state codes and regulations he says add more than $100,000 to the cost of a new home, and a legal environment that he says drives up the cost of insurance. SourceMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Says property taxes should come down in keeping with Proposal A, and criticizes sinking funds and millages that he says keep seniors from staying in their homes; asked about property tax relief in the Oct. 15 debate, he said the entire process of where people’s taxes go needs reform. 2 sourcesMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Says the state should reduce unnecessary barriers to development, including state codes and regulations he says add more than $100,000 to the cost of a new home, and a legal environment that he says drives up the cost of insurance. SourceMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Says property taxes should come down in keeping with Proposal A, and criticizes sinking funds and millages that he says keep seniors from staying in their homes; asked about property tax relief in the Oct. 15 debate, he said the entire process of where people’s taxes go needs reform. 2 sourcesMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
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