President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on March 13, 2026, aimed at improving housing affordability and expanding access to homeownership in the United States. The actions are part of a broader effort by the administration to address rising housing costs and limited housing supply, issues that have become central economic concerns ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

The orders focus on reducing regulatory barriers that slow residential construction and easing rules that govern mortgage lending, to increase housing supply and make it easier for Americans to qualify for home loans.

Cutting Red Tape on Home Construction

One of the executive orders directs federal agencies to review and remove regulations that delay home construction or increase development costs. Officials say layers of permitting requirements, environmental reviews, and other federal rules can significantly slow the building process and raise housing prices.

Under the order, agencies are instructed to identify regulations that unnecessarily restrict housing development and propose ways to streamline them. The administration also plans to encourage state and local governments to adopt policies that support faster permitting and more efficient construction practices.

Supporters of the measure argue that reducing bureaucratic hurdles could help builders construct homes more quickly and increase the supply of available housing.

Expanding Access to Mortgage Credit

The second executive order focuses on mortgage lending and access to financing. It calls on federal regulators to examine rules that may be preventing smaller banks and community lenders from offering mortgages more easily.

The administration believes easing some regulatory burdens could allow smaller financial institutions to compete more effectively with large national lenders and expand access to credit for qualified homebuyers. By increasing the number of lenders and simplifying certain mortgage rules, policymakers hope to make home loans more accessible to first-time buyers and middle-income households.

Some officials have also suggested that regulatory changes affecting bank capital requirements and lending rules could eventually help reduce borrowing costs for consumers.

Part of a Larger Housing Policy Agenda

The executive orders come amid growing pressure on policymakers to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis. Home prices remain historically high, with the median price of an existing home approaching $400,000 in early 2026.

The Trump administration has proposed several additional measures aimed at influencing the housing market, including:

• Encouraging government-backed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to expand purchases of mortgage-backed securities
  
  
• Supporting legislative proposals to limit institutional investors from buying large numbers of single-family homes
  
  
• Promoting policies designed to increase the construction of entry-level housing

These initiatives are intended to address both sides of the affordability equation: increasing housing supply while improving access to mortgage financing.

Questions About the Long-Term Impact

Despite the administration’s efforts, economists note that the federal government has limited direct control over many housing policies. Local zoning rules, land-use regulations, and construction costs often play a larger role in determining how quickly new homes can be built.

As a result, analysts say the long-term impact of the executive orders will depend partly on whether state and local governments adopt similar reforms.

Still, the move highlights how housing affordability has become a central issue in U.S. economic policy. With mortgage rates still hovering above 6% and housing supply remaining constrained, policymakers from both parties are facing increasing pressure to find solutions that make homeownership more attainable for American families.