Congress Urged to Ease Housing Affordability 'Crisis'

NAHB calls for eliminating excessive regulations to boost housing supply

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has urged Congress to eliminate excessive regulations that are hindering the construction of new homes and apartments, which the industry group says account for nearly 25% of the cost of a single-family home and more than 40% of the cost of a typical apartment development. NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes testified that reducing regulatory burdens is the most effective way to ease the nation's housing affordability crisis.

Why it matters

Housing affordability has become a major issue across the country, with rising construction costs and limited supply pricing many potential homebuyers and renters out of the market. The NAHB argues that reducing regulatory barriers could significantly boost housing production and improve affordability.

The details

According to NAHB, regulations such as 'overly stringent' mandatory energy code requirements are impeding builders' ability to increase housing supply. The group is urging Congress and the administration to prohibit federal agencies from enforcing minimum energy standards that raise housing costs. NAHB also called for an exemption from the requirement to use domestically sourced construction materials for multifamily projects with federal assistance, as this can lead to delays and added costs.

  • The congressional panel hearing focusing on housing affordability took place on March 9, 2026.

The players

Buddy Hughes

Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

A trade association that represents the home building industry in the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Regulations account for nearly 25% of the cost of a single-family home and more than 40% of the cost of a typical apartment development. The time and costs associated with complying with a multitude of government regulations can be significant for small- and medium-sized builders, and ultimately limit housing supply.”

— Buddy Hughes, NAHB Chairman (kitchenbathdesign.com)

“NAHB urges Congress and the (Trump) administration to prohibit HUD and USDA from enforcing a minimum energy standard that increases housing costs during a nationwide affordability crisis. We also urge policymakers to respect state and local authority over code adoption and to reject mandates that most states have not determined are appropriate for their communities.”

— Buddy Hughes, NAHB Chairman (kitchenbathdesign.com)

What’s next

The congressional panel hearing is expected to lead to further discussions and potential legislative action to address housing affordability issues.

The takeaway

The NAHB's testimony highlights the significant impact that government regulations can have on housing costs and supply, underscoring the need for policymakers to carefully balance housing affordability with other policy goals such as energy efficiency. Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens could be a key step in improving housing access for more Americans.