May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026

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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Examining Local Needs in Disaster Recovery: House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance will hold a hearing titled 'Examining Local Needs in Disaster Recovery' on June 10 at 2:00 PM in Rayburn House Office Building 2128, featuring witnesses from the Congressional Research Service, Enterprise Community Partners, Texas General Land Office, and North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Federal Government News

White House Adjusts Tariffs for Key Construction Metals

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation on June 1 modifying Section 232 tariff regimes for aluminum, steel, and copper imports. Tariffs on agricultural and certain industrial equipment are reduced from 25% to 15%. Residential HVAC systems, mobile industrial equipment from trade deal countries, and specific derivative products—including aluminum lithographic plates and steel racks—are now covered by the new 15% ad valorem duty. The threshold for qualifying equipment made from U.S.-sourced metals is lowered from 95% to 85%, enabling more foreign companies using U.S. metals to obtain a 10% duty rate. These adjustments run until December 31, 2027. Commerce is tasked with enforcement and monitoring activities, as well as further changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

FTA Raises Oversight Thresholds for Public Transit Projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a final rule on June 4, raising the total cost threshold for project management oversight from $300 million to $400 million and the federal investment threshold from $100 million to $150 million. The amended definition aligns FTA requirements with the statutory thresholds for Small Starts projects under the Capital Investment Grant program. This change is expected to reduce regulatory burdens by removing oversight from certain lower-cost projects. FTA will retain discretionary authority to apply oversight to projects based on risk assessments, complexity, or technology adoption, regardless of their cost. The revised rule is effective July 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Posts Privacy Act Notice for Rental Income Verification

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public and Indian Housing released a modified system of records for the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) platform. EIV now includes a new Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Report, matches DHS/USCIS data to HUD resident rolls, and replaces the Income Discrepancy Report with the Income Validation Tool (IVT) employing MicroStrategy technology. Routine uses supporting eligibility verification, improper payment detection, and statistical reporting for multifamily and public housing rental assistance remain intact. Agencies have until July 6 to comment, and records are maintained at the NASA Stennis Space Center.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Seeks Comment on Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting System

HUD published a 60-day notice for the Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting System (DRGR), covering grants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, Mitigation, Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Rural Capacity Building, Section 4, Recovery Housing Program, PRO Housing, and PRICE. The DRGR system is used for grant management and monitoring of compliance with federal requirements. The notice requests input on the practical utility, burden estimates, and suggestions for improving the system, with comments due by August 3, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Announces Housing Vacancy Survey Extension

The Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, submitted for OMB review its request to extend the Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS), which provides quarterly statistics on rental vacancy rates and homeownership rates for the United States, census regions, states, and the 75 largest metropolitan areas. The survey is used by public and private organizations to gauge housing supply, cost, and affordability, and also for consumer expenditure statistics and mortgage demand projections. Public comments are invited for 30 days following the June 5 publication.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Bill 6644: The House transmitted its amendment to the Senate’s amendment, and it is currently at the desk for review. The legislation addresses housing and community development.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A Bill to Increase Workforce Participation of Public Housing Assistance Recipients

Bill 4673: This bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. It aims to promote employment among federal public housing assistance recipients.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act

Bill 5437: The committee ordered this bill reported (amended) by a vote of 16-7. The measure addresses commercial liability in the stone slab product sector.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

Bill 5631: Received in the Senate; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The bill is focused on policies supporting geothermal energy development.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The New Amenity in Luxury Living: Longevity Services: Developers offer longevity clinics as the latest upscale residential amenity.
• Pushing Treatment, Trump Administration Limits Housing Aid for Homeless: HUD restricts housing assistance for homeless individuals without treatment participation.
• Governments worldwide shield households from rising energy costs: Global governments enact measures to buffer households from escalating energy prices.

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