The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Mar. 13 its support for two executive orders signed by President Trump aimed at reducing regulatory barriers to affordable home construction and promoting access to mortgage credit.
These actions are intended to address rising housing costs and limited access to home loans, which HUD says have made it harder for American families to achieve homeownership. The department highlighted that regulatory costs can add nearly $94,000 to the price of a new single-family home, with green energy mandates in building codes contributing more than $30,000 to construction expenses. Overall deregulation efforts in 2025 are projected to save Americans a collective $212 billion.
Secretary Scott Turner said, “Homeownership is the bedrock of the American Dream, but that foundation crumbled under the Biden administration as red tape made building homes and securing mortgages increasingly more expensive.” Turner added, “President Trump’s Executive Orders will help HUD deliver on his promise to provide economic relief to American families and make homeownership affordable again. Ending burdensome regulations and improving mortgage affordability supports increased housing supply and pushes affordable homeownership back within reach for American families.”
According to HUD, the department will work in accordance with the executive orders by terminating regulatory barriers, reforming programs, and encouraging states and localities to change rules that hinder residential development or limit access to home loans. This includes cutting requirements related to energy use in manufactured homes, permitting processes, building codes, mandates, and outdated mortgage procedures.
HUD also plans to expand housing supply by aligning Opportunity Zone incentives with single-family development and New Markets Tax Credit programs. The department reports that Opportunity Zones have already led to the creation of over 400,000 housing units in distressed communities.
The department stated these measures will ensure small banks, financial institutions, and developers have resources needed for first-time buyers, veterans, and families seeking homeownership opportunities. Since the beginning of this administration’s term at HUD, priorities have included ending previous fair housing rules from earlier administrations and supporting more than one million Americans—over half a million of whom are first-time buyers—in achieving affordable homeownership.
