Washington, D.C. – March 13, 2026 – David M. Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference (NHC), released the following statement in response to two Executive Orders issued by President Trump: “Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction” and “Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit”:
“The National Housing Conference (NHC) supports efforts to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers that slow housing production, limit access to mortgage credit, and increase costs for American families. The Executive Orders signed today by President Trump highlight the importance of addressing both the supply and financing challenges that contribute to the nation’s housing affordability crisis.
Too often, overly complex permitting processes, duplicative environmental reviews, and costly mandates slow down housing construction and drive up costs for families. Taking a hard look at federal rules that delay development is an important step toward making it easier to build the homes our country needs while still maintaining the safeguards that protect communities.
A healthy housing market also depends on a competitive and accessible mortgage system. Modernizing mortgage regulations, updating appraisal requirements, streamlining reporting rules, and expanding digital mortgage tools can help community banks and smaller lenders better serve their communities. Reducing unnecessary compliance burdens can expand access to responsible mortgage credit, particularly for first-time buyers, rural communities, and small residential builders. While supporting smaller banks is important, regulatory modernization should benefit lenders of all sizes so the entire mortgage system can operate more efficiently and expand access to credit.
The United States faces an affordable housing shortage, and too many families struggle to access affordable mortgage credit. Addressing this challenge requires both increasing housing supply and ensuring that responsible lending can reach the communities that need it most. NHC welcomes efforts to review regulations that delay development or limit participation in the mortgage market and looks forward to working with President Trump and Congress on thoughtful reforms that expand housing opportunities and make homeownership and rental housing more attainable for Americans.”
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About the National Housing Conference (NHC): Founded in 1931, the National Housing Conference is the oldest and broadest housing coalition in America. NHC is a diverse continuum of affordable housing stakeholders who convene and collaborate through dialogue, advocacy, research, and education, to develop equitable solutions that serve our common interest—an America where everyone is able to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. Politically diverse and nonpartisan, NHC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To learn more about NHC, visit www.nhc.org.