National Housing Emergency Act of 2026
Latest action (8 Sep 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 10316, the National Housing Emergency Act of 2026, would express Congress's view that the President should declare a national emergency over housing under the National Emergencies Act and use Defense Production Act authorities to boost domestic production of housing construction materials. The bill formally amends the Defense Production Act to add residential construction and rehabilitation as a covered priority area. While the emergency is in effect, the bill would suspend several existing federal housing statutes and regulations, limit environmental review requirements (including NEPA) for certain housing projects, set minimum building code standards, and require expedited waivers under "Buy America" rules for federally funded housing projects.
The bill would primarily affect federal housing agencies (HUD, Transportation), state and local governments, and housing developers. States and localities receiving certain federal block grant funds would face a new "Pro-Growth Requirement," needing to show increased housing permits and adopt at least one zoning or permitting reform (such as reduced lot sizes, higher density allowances, or streamlined permitting) to remain eligible for funding, with an appeal process available. The bill also bars state and local land-use rules that place a "substantial burden" on residential construction or rehabilitation during the emergency period.
The declared emergency, and its associated rules, would end automatically once 4 million additional housing units are built or rehabilitated nationwide, or by October 1, 2031, whichever comes first.
The bill was introduced on September 8, 2026, by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and referred to the House Committees on Financial Services and on Transportation and Infrastructure. It has not yet been voted on by either committee or the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on September 8, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 10316 do?
- H.R. 10316, the National Housing Emergency Act of 2026, would express Congress's view that the President should declare a national emergency over housing under the National Emergencies Act and use Defense Production Act authorities to boost domestic production of housing construction materials. The bill formally amends the Defense Production Act to add residential construction and rehabilitation as a covered priority area. While the emergency is in effect, the bill would suspend several existing federal housing statutes and regulations, limit environmental review requirements (including NEPA) for certain housing projects, set minimum building code standards, and require expedited waivers under "Buy America" rules for federally funded housing projects. The bill would primarily affect federal housing agencies (HUD, Transportation), state and local governments, and housing developers. States and localities receiving certain federal block grant funds would face a new "Pro-Growth Requirement," needing to show increased housing permits and adopt at least one zoning or permitting reform (such as reduced lot sizes, higher density allowances, or streamlined permitting) to remain eligible for funding, with an appeal process available. The bill also bars state and local land-use rules that place a "substantial burden" on residential construction or rehabilitation during the emergency period. The declared emergency, and its associated rules, would end automatically once 4 million additional housing units are built or rehabilitated nationwide, or by October 1, 2031, whichever comes first. The bill was introduced on September 8, 2026, by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and referred to the House Committees on Financial Services and on Transportation and Infrastructure. It has not yet been voted on by either committee or the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 10316 become law?
- Not yet. As of 8 Sep 2026, H.R. 10316 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 10316?
- H.R. 10316 was sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan [D-PA6] (Democrat-PA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 10316?
- Introduced (8 Sep 2026).
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