Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Removes Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction

3/13/2026

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Action Summary

Purpose: Eliminate excessive regulatory barriers that drive up construction costs and slow the building of affordable homes for American families.
Regulatory Reforms:
- Directs the EPA Administrator and Secretary of the Army to review and revise stormwater, wetlands, and water-related permitting requirements.
- Instructs the Secretaries of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and the FHFA to cut burdensome rules and reform programs hindering residential development.
- Calls on the Secretaries of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, and the FHFA Director to overhaul energy, water, and alternative-energy mandates affecting housing, including manufactured homes.
- Tasks the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality with maximizing categorical exclusions under NEPA, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation with simplifying historic preservation reviews.
Incentives for Local and State Governments: Encourages federal agencies to provide incentives for adopting regulatory best practices, speeding up permitting processes, reducing costly “green” building codes, and enabling innovative construction methods. Also aligns Opportunity Zone incentives with single-family home development and New Markets Tax Credit programs.
Housing Market Impact:
- Addresses slow permitting and expensive environmental regulations that have stalled new home construction.
- Notes that excessive regulations have added substantial costs to new homes, with examples highlighting increases of over $30,000 in some cases and averaging more than $90,000 per home in 2021.
Complementary Actions:
- Follows earlier actions such as an Executive Order to block large institutional investors from acquiring single-family homes and directives for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to lower borrowing costs.
- Builds on a broader deregulatory and pro-growth agenda aimed at reducing red tape, lowering inflation and mortgage rates, boosting GDP growth, and increasing overall economic relief for American families.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order to remove regulatory barriers to home construction could lead to a significant increase in housing development. However, this rapid development might not align with sustainable practices or community needs, potentially jeopardizing environmental standards and local ecosystems.
There is a risk that the push for deregulation could lead to the construction of lower-quality housing. This might affect the safety and durability of homes, impacting residents’ wellbeing and increasing long-term costs associated with maintenance and repairs.
The emphasis on reducing costs and regulatory burdens could undermine the enforcement of important environmental protections, leading to increased pollution and degradation of natural resources, which could have implications for public health and safety.
Vanderbilt University may experience an influx of students interested in urban planning and environmental policy as housing developments rise. This could necessitate adjustments to academic programs and resources to accommodate this new interest.

Impacted Programs

School of Engineering may need to enhance its curriculum to address the engineering aspects of sustainable housing construction and infrastructure development as demand for innovative approaches increases.
Peabody College of Education and Human Development could see increased interest in programs focusing on community engagement and urban education, particularly in relation to housing equity and access.
The Center for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Communities at Vanderbilt may play a critical role in researching the impacts of deregulation on environmental standards and community health, providing valuable insights to policymakers.
Collaborations with local governments and organizations may become necessary for research initiatives aimed at mitigating negative impacts of rapid housing development.

Financial Impact

Changes in housing regulations could alter the economic landscape for Vanderbilt, particularly if increased housing availability leads to shifts in the local economy and demographics of the student population.
The university may have opportunities to secure funding for research into housing policy, environmental sustainability, and urban development, particularly as these areas gain prominence in public discourse.
Potential partnerships with developers and local governments could emerge as Vanderbilt positions itself as a thought leader in sustainable housing practices, which may open new revenue streams for research and community engagement initiatives.
As housing becomes more affordable and accessible, there could be an impact on student enrollment patterns, particularly for those coming from diverse economic backgrounds, affecting tuition revenue and financial aid strategies.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

The Office of Federal Relations should monitor the implications of the Executive Order on housing regulations to identify potential impacts on Vanderbilt’s real estate developments and partnerships. Engaging with local and state housing authorities can provide insights into how these changes may influence housing availability and affordability in the university’s surrounding community.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Urban Studies should conduct research on the effects of deregulation in housing markets and its implications for urban development. This research can help inform policy discussions and provide data-driven recommendations for sustainable housing practices that align with the university’s mission.
The Office of Sustainability should assess how the changes in environmental regulations may impact Vanderbilt’s sustainability initiatives. It will be crucial to adapt strategies that promote sustainable building practices while complying with new regulatory frameworks.
The Vanderbilt Law School could offer workshops or clinics focused on housing law to help students understand the evolving legal landscape in real estate development. This initiative would not only enhance the curriculum but also position the law school as a thought leader in the field.
The Vanderbilt Center for Economic Studies should analyze the economic implications of increased housing affordability initiatives, particularly in relation to local economic development and community growth. This analysis could lead to collaborative projects with local governments to foster economic resilience.

Opportunities

The Executive Order provides an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Real Estate Program to develop partnerships with local developers and government agencies to promote affordable housing initiatives. Engaging in these collaborations can enhance the university’s community engagement and support its mission to improve local living conditions.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and the Environment can explore new research funding opportunities related to the reform of energy requirements in housing construction. This could lead to innovative projects that align with the university’s sustainability goals and enhance its research profile.
With the focus on reducing regulatory barriers, Vanderbilt can advocate for policies that support innovative housing solutions, such as alternative housing models and community land trusts, which can further its commitment to social equity and community development.
The emphasis on reducing housing costs presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Child and Family Policy to engage in research on the impact of housing affordability on family stability and child development, contributing to broader discussions on social welfare.
Engaging in public forums and discussions on housing policy can position Vanderbilt as a leader in the dialogue on affordable housing solutions, strengthening its reputation and influence in public policy matters.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order necessitates major process changes for Vanderbilt to adapt its housing and sustainability initiatives effectively.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No specific deadlines or timelines were provided within the directive text.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Tasked with reviewing and revising stormwater, wetlands, and other water-related permitting requirements affecting home construction.
Department of the Army: Directed to review and revise permitting requirements related to stormwater and wetlands to facilitate affordable home construction.
Department of Commerce: Required to eliminate unduly burdensome rules affecting residential development.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Called upon to reform programs and eliminate excessive rules that constrain housing affordability and residential development.
Department of Transportation: Involved in eliminating regulations that may impede residential development and housing construction.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA): Directed to eliminate burdensome rules to promote housing affordability.
Department of Agriculture: Tasked with reforming energy, water, and alternative-energy requirements for housing, including manufactured homes.
Department of Energy: Also responsible for addressing overly burdensome energy requirements that affect housing development.
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ): The Chairman is directed to issue guidance maximizing categorical exclusions under NEPA to expedite housing construction.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: Assigned to develop guidance that simplifies historic preservation reviews to reduce barriers in housing construction.

Relevance Score: 3 (Six to ten federal agencies are impacted by the executive order.)

Responsible Officials

EPA Administrator – Directed to review and revise stormwater, wetlands, and water-related permitting requirements.
Secretary of the Army – Tasked with similar reviews on permitting requirements as part of reducing building and homeownership costs.
Secretary of Commerce – Instructed to eliminate unduly burdensome rules impacting residential development.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – Ordered to reform and eliminate regulations and programs that constrain housing affordability.
Secretary of Transportation – Directed to assist in eliminating burdensome rules affecting residential development.
Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) – Charged with reforming rules both in the context of residential development and energy/water requirements.
Secretary of Agriculture – Directed to eliminate or reform burdensome energy and water requirements impacting housing construction.
Secretary of Energy – Tasked with eliminating or reforming alternative-energy requirements for housing.
Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality – Directed to issue guidance to maximize categorical exclusions under NEPA for housing-related projects.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation – Instructed to develop guidance to simplify historic preservation reviews related to housing construction.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect cabinet-level officials and agency heads responsible for major policy and regulatory reform.)