Build Housing Affordably Act introduced in House

U.S. Reps. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., have introduced legislation aimed at easing federal procurement requirements that housing advocates say are delaying affordable housing developments and increasing construction costs nationwide.

The measure, titled the Build Housing Affordably Act, would temporarily suspend the application of Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements for certain affordable housing projects while federal officials study the policy’s impact on housing development.

Flood, who chairs the House Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, said the legislation is intended to address barriers that have contributed to rising housing costs.

“Across the country, and especially in Nebraska, the shortage of affordable housing options is making life more expensive for families,” he said. “Our bipartisan Build Housing Affordably Act cuts the government red tape and bureaucracy standing in the way of building homes American families can afford. Congress is making real progress on addressing the rising cost of homeownership, and this bill keeps us moving toward a future where an affordable home is once again within reach for every family.”

Goodlander said housing affordability remains a major challenge in New Hampshire and argued that federal requirements are slowing the construction of needed homes.

“New Hampshire is in a full-blown housing crisis, and hardworking people are paying the price every month in higher rents and home prices they cannot afford,” she said. “Right now, a single federal rule is senselessly jacking up costs and adding massive delays to the urgent mission before us: building the tens of thousands of homes the people of New Hampshire urgently need. Our bipartisan Build Housing Affordably Act cuts needless red tape that is standing in our way and paves the way for affordable homes, built much sooner, at a lower cost to the Granite Staters who need them.”

Aim is to reduce costs and speed up affordable home development

The proposal follows concerns raised by affordable housing developers over the implementation of BABA provisions enacted under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

The requirements mandate that iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials used in federally assisted infrastructure projects be produced in the United States.

Affordable housing stakeholders have argued that applying those standards to housing construction, rehabilitation and repair projects funded through federal programs such as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program has increased costs and slowed development timelines.

Under the legislation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would be required to conduct a study examining the effects of BABA requirements on affordable housing development and the federal waiver process.

HUD would then submit a report detailing its findings to Congress.

The bill would also pause BABA implementation for covered affordable housing projects until 60 days after the report is delivered. In addition, it would establish a 90-day deadline for HUD to review waiver requests.

Any waiver not acted upon within that timeframe would be automatically approved.

Flood has previously highlighted concerns about the impact of BABA requirements during congressional hearings focused on housing supply and regulatory barriers, including hearings held in late 2025 and early 2026.

The legislation has received backing from a broad coalition of housing, real estate and community development organizations, including the National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Multifamily Housing Council and Enterprise Community Partners, among others.

This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication.