Trump Signs Executive Orders to Address Home Affordability

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President Donald Trump signed a pair of executive orders on Friday aimed at improving home affordability, a key issue for many voters heading into the November midterm elections. The first order seeks to reduce federal housing regulatory burdens and create incentives for state and local governments to speed up permitting and construction. The second order would streamline mortgage regulations to make it easier for smaller banks to provide home loans, with the goal of increasing competition and reducing borrowing costs for buyers.

Why it matters

Housing affordability has emerged as a major political challenge, with both Republicans and Democrats working on measures to address concerns that buying a first home has become difficult for middle-class families. The executive orders demonstrate the Trump administration's efforts to put more policy emphasis on home ownership ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

The details

The first executive order directs federal agencies to create incentives for state and local governments to speed up permitting times, reduce 'green' building codes, and make it easier to use innovative construction methods. It also calls for reviews of environmental and energy efficiency regulations that could increase housing costs. The second order aims to streamline mortgage regulations to allow smaller banks to engage in more lending, with the goal of increasing competition and reducing borrowing costs for buyers.

• President Trump signed the executive orders on Friday, March 13, 2026.

What’s next

The White House expects potential homebuyers could see the impact of the changes to mortgage regulations in a matter of months. The administration also plans to incorporate best practices on housing regulations as a criteria for rewarding discretionary grants to state and local governments.