September 27, 2026 to October 03, 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

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

HUD Raises Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fee

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced an increase in the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program’s upfront fee for new firm commitments and refinances from 1.00% to 1.50%, effective October 1, 2026. The fee for new Section 184 Skilled Workers Demonstration Program commitments will move from 0% to 1.00%. The annual loan guarantee fee remains zero. The notice clarifies that existing loans are not affected, and only newly issued firm commitments will pay the higher fee. The program is authorized under 12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a(d) and operates without annual congressional appropriations, funded through fees. The move aims to keep the program self-sustaining, reflecting its low historic default rate and performance since its creation. HUD notes this regulatory change is categorically excluded from environmental review under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6).

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD System of Records Updated for IMS/PIC and HIP Platforms

HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing published a modified system of records notice encompassing the Inventory Management System (IMS/PIC) and Housing Information Portal (HIP). The update adds three new routine uses to data handling and revises contact information as well as the categories and collection methods for records. The national repository serves Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE), and HUD-assisted families, gathering operational data to evaluate program effectiveness, detect abuses, forecast budgets, and monitor compliance. Data is largely submitted electronically and retained at HUD headquarters or on Salesforce Government Cloud. The system ensures information sharing within HUD and authorized partners, with updated protocols for privacy, retention, and user access. The comment period runs through October 30, 2026; the changes will take effect following this window absent contrary determinations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Begins 60-Day Public Comment Period on Continuum of Care Recordkeeping

HUD issued a 60-day notice seeking input regarding its recordkeeping requirements for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, which funds homeless assistance and housing support. Recipients and subrecipients must comply with CoC statutory and regulatory recordkeeping obligations to ensure proper use of funds. The notice details 45 distinct activities ranging from establishing CoC boards to documenting homelessness, with total annual reporting estimated at 1,600,385.5 hours for over 2.4 million responses. Comments on whether the information collection is necessary, estimations of burden, and ways to improve quality and efficiency are welcomed until December 1, 2026. The OMB Control Number is 2506-0199.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Seeks OMB Approval for Race and Ethnic Data Collection

The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a 30-day notice regarding its continuing collection of race and ethnicity data via HUD Form 27061. HUD is requesting OMB approval to reinstate this collection without change under control number 2535-0113. This data is required for all HUD program offices, enabling compliance with Title VI, the Fair Housing Act, and related regulations. Approximately 14,375 respondents generate 17,250 responses annually, imposing an estimated 8,625 burden hours at a median hourly rate of $53.24. Public comment will be accepted through October 28, 2026, covering necessity, accuracy, utility, and suggestions for minimizing respondent burden.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Requests Extension for Resource Management Planning Information Collection

The Bureau of Land Management posted a notice seeking to extend OMB approval for a Resource Management Planning information collection (OMB Control Number 1004-0212), set to expire September 30, 2026. The collection pertains to state and local governments, individuals, businesses, and associations responding to land use plans and plan amendments. Annually, 131 respondents supply as many responses, with a total estimated burden of 1,965 hours. Public comment may be submitted until October 30, 2026, including recommendations for minimizing burden through automated or electronic responses.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US construction spending surges in August: Construction spending increased significantly in August, signaling robust activity in the sector.
• The Fed's building renovations and Trump's push to oust Powell: Federal Reserve undertakes major building renovations amid administration efforts to change leadership.
• How 7% Mortgages Are Wrecking the Home-Buyer Playbook: Rising mortgage rates and record home prices create new challenges for buyers.
• Fed Mismanaged Building Renovation but Broke No Rules, Watchdog Finds: Federal Reserve's renovation project saw cost overruns, audit finds no rules were broken.
• China Offers Subsidies on Some Residential Mortgages: China provides subsidies for certain residential mortgages to stimulate its housing market.
• Dems blast housing regulator Pulte for slashing watchdog's budget: Democratic lawmakers criticize Pulte for cutting funds to housing oversight.
• Intentional Communities Sprout in the Wake of the Housing Crisis: New intentional housing communities emerge as responses to ongoing housing challenges.

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