Bill · S. 3600· Senate(119-S-3600)
National Housing Emergency Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/8/2026
- Last activity
- 1/8/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Elissa Slotkin
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The National Housing Emergency Act of 2026 directs the President to declare a national emergency regarding housing. To address this, the bill invokes the Defense Production Act to boost the supply of materials for building and fixing houses. It seeks to remove various federal regulations and environmental reviews to speed up development. Additionally, it creates a "Pro-Growth Requirement" that local governments must meet to receive federal block grant funding. The Act also prohibits land-use regulations that place a substantial burden on residential construction. These emergency measures remain in place until 4,000,000 new units are created or until October 1, 2031.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this make housing cost less?+8
The bill uses the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of materials and removes regulatory barriers to address a housing shortage of 4,000,000 units.
Is this likely to create jobs?+7
The bill is projected to unlock nearly 2,000,000 jobs, including over 700,000 construction jobs.
Is this likely to grow the economy?+7
The bill is projected to add nearly $2,000,000,000,000 to the gross domestic product through 2035.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-7
The bill restricts the ability of state and local governments to implement land-use regulations and imposes federal pro-growth requirements to receive funding.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-6
The bill removes federal environmental review requirements for HUD-funded housing preservation and infill projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Housing Supply: The bill aims to increase the supply of materials used for construction and rehabilitation (Section 2 and Section 4). This is intended to address the shortage of at least 4,000,000 housing units (Section 3).
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Economic Growth and Job Creation: Investing in closing the housing shortfall is projected to unlock nearly 2,000,000 jobs, including over 700,000 construction jobs, and add nearly $2,000,000,000,000 to the gross domestic product through 2035 (Section 3).
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Streamlined Development: The bill removes several regulatory barriers, such as certain environmental review requirements, to expedite housing projects (Section 5).
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Local Incentives for Growth: Through the "Pro-Growth Requirement," local governments are encouraged to take actions like reducing lot size requirements, allowing duplexes or triplexes, and establishing density bonuses to increase housing availability (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Removal of Environmental Protections: The bill mandates that no housing preservation or infill project funded by HUD shall be subject to any Federal environmental review requirements (Section 5).
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Reduction of Local Control: The bill prohibits States or local governments from implementing land-use regulations that are deemed to impose a substantial burden on residential construction or rehabilitation (Section 8).
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Changes to Local Zoning and Standards: To receive federal funds, local governments must comply with the "Pro-Growth Requirement," which includes actions like allowing manufactured homes in single-family zones and reducing off-street parking requirements (Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+7Increases Job Creation+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+8Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-7
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+4Improves Environmental Protections-6
- 1/8/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate