Trump executive orders aimed at aiding home affordability

President Donald Trump recently signed executive orders intended to boost home affordability.

One order directs the federal government to reduce its own housing regulations and create incentives for best practices by state and local governments. The goal is to make it easier for builders to construct more homes. 

The order targets federal environmental regulations, directing the EPA and secretary of the Army to review and update stormwater, wetlands, and other water-related permitting requirements to reduce costs and improve home insurability. Multiple federal agencies would seek to eliminate environmental and energy efficiency regulations that could increase costs.

The second order reduces regulatory burdens tied to mortgages and makes it easier for smaller community banks to provide home loans.

The executive orders were signed after the Senate passed a broad bipartisan bill on housing that would adjust policies to increase construction and limit institutional ownership of home development. That measure’s prospects in the House are uncertain, according to a PBS report.