This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news related to residential and commercial construction as well as infrastructure and government initiatives and programs concerning housing and housing affordability. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Rules Committee Meeting on Broadband, Infrastructure, and Rural Support Resolutions: On April 20, the House Rules Committee will meet in H-313, Capitol, to consider H.R. 2289 (American Broadband Deployment Act of 2026), H.R. 4690 (Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act), H.R. 5587 (Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026), H.R. 1897 (ESA Amendments Act of 2025), and a resolution supporting rural communities.
• House Financial Services Committee Markup on Various Measures: On April 21, the House Financial Services Committee will hold a markup of various measures at 2:00 p.m. in 2128 Rayburn House Office Building.
• House Appropriations Committee Markup on FY 2027 Military Construction, VA, and Financial Services Bills: At 3:00 p.m. on April 21 in 2359 Rayburn House Office Building, the House Appropriations Committee will mark up the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill, the FY 2027 Financial Services and General Government Bill, and consider interim subcommittee allocations.

Federal Government News

HUD Issues Detailed Implementation Guidance for National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE)

On April 14, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published a Federal Register notice with comprehensive implementation guidance for the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE), specifically for the HOME Investment Partnerships and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) programs. The document sets compliance dates for HOME and HTF participants, aligning requirements for inspection procedures, property standards, and recordkeeping under updated regulations. Key provisions include new requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide detection, major systems analysis with capital needs assessments for larger multifamily properties, annual and triennial unit inspections with specified sample sizes, and energy efficiency code conformance with the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standards for new construction with commitments after November 24, 2024. The notice also addresses federal, state, and local code precedence, disaster mitigation expectations, broadband infrastructure mandates, and lead-based paint and accessibility compliance. Participating jurisdictions and grantees are required to update written standards, ensure inspector qualification, and maintain detailed documentation. Compliance extensions are permitted for select provisions, with the NSPIRE standards not superseding local codes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House CEQ Launches Permitting Innovators Program

The White House Council on Environmental Quality, joined by NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, announced the new Permitting Innovators program on April 15. This initiative is designed to modernize federal environmental review and permitting technology, aiming to address persistent delays in infrastructure development. The program focuses on public-private collaboration to develop tools that speed up permitting while meeting regulatory requirements. The Council released a Permitting Technology Action Plan (PTAP) noting existing technology gaps and will solicit industry-developed solutions, which will be considered for demonstration at the Permitting Innovators Expo during summer 2026. The program outlines a process for cataloging and sharing viable technological solutions across federal agencies and stakeholders, and organizations can register for program updates.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USDA Implements New Rules for Income and Asset Calculations in Rural Rental Housing Programs

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the Department of Agriculture published a final rule on April 13 revising procedures for calculating annual household income and net family assets in the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing programs. The revision aligns income certification with HUD’s updated definitions (24 CFR 5.609) and incorporates the HUD standard for net family assets (24 CFR 5.603(b)). These changes implement the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 and took effect immediately. According to the notice, no significant public comments were received, and the rule does not result in major economic or civil rights impacts. The new procedures are applicable to assistance programs under federal listings 10.415, 10.427, and 10.405.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Requests Comment on Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities Forms and Procedures

On April 14, HUD issued a 30-day notice inviting public comment on updated information collection requirements for Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities Programs. The proposal, which affects issuer request forms, pool number assignments, and disaster assistance/loan liquidation reporting, includes new and revised appendices (XI-01, XI-01A, XI-01B, VI-24, and VI-20). HUD estimates 2.54 million annual responses with a total burden of 87,200 hours and encourages submission of comments regarding collection necessity, technological improvements, and cost minimization by May 14. The revisions are part of Ginnie Mae’s function under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 and the Ginnie Mae Handbook 5500.3, Rev. 1.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Permit Issued for Bakken Pipeline Facilities at the U.S.-Canada Border

On April 15, President Donald J. Trump issued a Presidential permit authorizing Bakken Pipeline Company LP, a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., to construct, connect, operate, and maintain a petroleum pipeline crossing at Portal, North Dakota. The pipeline is limited to crude oil and petroleum products and excludes natural gas. The permit requires compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as protocols for inspection, indemnification, and timely reporting of ownership changes. The United States retains the right to assume control of the facilities for national security purposes, with fair compensation outlined. The pipeline must be maintained in good repair and does not grant enforceable rights against the U.S. government.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Grid Expansion and Reliability Act Introduced

H.R. 8248, the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 13. The bill targets grid reliability and expansion issues.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Build More Power Act Referred to Committee

H.R. 8262, the Build More Power Act, was referred to both the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee on April 14. Review will occur as each relevant committee evaluates applicable components.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Pilot Program Bills to Enhance Credit Evaluation for Mortgages

H.R. 8292 and H.R. 8318, both titled 'To authorize a pilot program under section 258 of the National Housing Act to establish an automated process for providing additional credit rating information for mortgagors and prospective mortgagors under certain mortgages,' were referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on April 15 and 16.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 Progresses

S. 2378, the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025, focusing on transportation and public works, was ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 14.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Mechanical Insulation as Energy Efficiency Measure Proposed in Senate

S. 4312 proposes to amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to classify mechanical insulation property as an energy or water efficiency measure. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 16.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

BUILD Housing Package Introduced in Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois legislators unveiled the BUILD housing package, aimed at expanding state housing options, supporting new construction, and easing development through legislative and capital investment proposals.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

New York Advances Haffen Park Pool Complex Modernization

Governor Hochul announced the start of a $13.4 million reconstruction of the Haffen Park Pool Complex in the Bronx, funded partly by a $5 million NY SWIMS grant and led by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Ohio Expands 211 Community Resource Access Statewide

Governor Mike DeWine and the Department of Children and Youth will implement full statewide coverage of Ohio 211 by June 2026, increasing access to housing and social service resources in all 88 counties.

Sources: governor.ohio.gov

New Service Center Opened by Brighton Park Neighborhood Council in Chicago

Governor Pritzker attended the ribbon-cutting for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council’s new service center, which will be the hub for youth, family, and social services in Southwest Chicago, funded in part by $3 million from the state.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

California Housing Finance Agency Appoints New Director of Program Development

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Meagan Tokunaga Block as Director of Program Development and Strategic Initiatives at the California Housing Finance Agency, effective immediately.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• U.S. Home-Builder Sentiment Slips Amid Economic Uncertainty: The WSJ reports that home-builder optimism decreased during April amid unclear economic conditions.
• The war in Iran hits home as housing rebound stalls: Politico covers how international conflict is dampening the potential housing rebound in the U.S.
• NYC to Spend $4 Billion From Pension Funds on Affordable Homes: The New York Times details NYC’s decision to allocate $4 billion from municipal pension funds for affordable housing projects.
• Senate housing bill that takes aim at institutional investors may do little for homebuyers — and could even hurt renters: CNN analyzes a Senate bill targeting institutional investors and raises questions about effects for homebuyers and renters.
• Crucial Home Selling Season Off to a Sour Start: March home sales declined 3.6%, signaling a difficult start to the spring housing market, as reported by WSJ.
• Rebuilding After Fires, L.A. Neighbors Join Forces and Innovate: The New York Times discusses how residents and architects are collaborating in L.A. neighborhoods rebuilding in the aftermath of wildfires.
• These San Diego jobs are gaining ground in homeownership: Axios highlights local job sectors in San Diego with improving homeownership rates.
• Mamdani Announces Plan to Lower Insurance Costs for Landlords: NYT covers Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s new policy aims to reduce landlord insurance costs in New York.
• Real Estate: The NYT Real Estate section provides updates on market trends, new listings, and real estate investment news.

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