Bill · S. 4265· Senate(119-S-4265)
Freedom to Build Act
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Bill Hagerty
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Freedom to Build Act" directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create a "Freedom to Build" designation for certain localities. Localities can qualify by adopting specific regulatory reforms or by demonstrating sustained housing supply growth that meets specific targets. The Secretary must publish a list of these designated localities and update the rules every five years. This designation lasts for five years and can be renewed if the locality continues to qualify. Additionally, the bill directs the prioritization of these designated communities when applying for certain competitive grants.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The bill provides significant benefits to developers and builders through faster, more predictable approval processes.
Does this make housing cost less?+5
The bill aims to increase housing supply and reduce costs by removing regulatory barriers and mandating growth targets.
Is this likely to create jobs?+4
The bill facilitates faster and more efficient housing construction which can stimulate building sector employment.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-3
The bill allows localities to eliminate mandates regarding what energy sources may be used in housing.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
The bill reduces local authority to implement rent controls, zoning mandates, and environmental requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Streamlined Construction: Localities may adopt reforms that remove barriers to modern construction technologies and methods, such as modular or off-site techniques, by aligning local requirements with national standards (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Faster Development Approvals: Provisions may include by-right approvals for projects that meet zoning and building codes, as well as binding timelines for permit decisions to reduce uncertainty for builders (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Increased Transparency: The bill suggests reforms for the full public disclosure of permits, approvals, inspections, and associated fees to prevent undisclosed costs (Section 2(b)(2)(B)(iii)).
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Protection of Property Rights: Reforms could include protecting property owners' ability to promptly address lease violations, fraud, or unauthorized occupancy (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(ii)).
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Greater Housing Supply: Localities can qualify by meeting specific housing supply growth targets, which aims to address housing shortages (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Financial Priority for Communities: Localities with the designation receive priority for certain competitive grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction of Rent Controls: The bill includes reforms that could prohibit rent control or rent stabilization on certain dwelling units (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(i)).
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Limits on Mandated Housing Sets-asides: Reforms may prohibit mandatory below-market housing set-asides unless they are offset by specific incentives (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(iii)).
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Removal of Local Mandates: The act includes provisions to eliminate mandates regarding what can be built, how it is built, or what energy sources are used, provided they exceed safety requirements (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
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Prohibition of Certain Workforce Mandates: The bill includes reforms that prohibit wage, residency, or workforce-composition mandates on housing projects (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(iv)).
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Prohibition of Growth Restrictions: Reforms may prohibit local ordinances such as growth moratoria or construction caps (Section 2(b)(2)(C)(x)).
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 Business Owners+6Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Urban Residents+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+4Improves Small Business Support+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+5Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-2
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.