October 18, 2026 to October 24, 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

White House Announces Executive Order Targeting Reduction of Housing Costs

On October 22, 2026, an executive order directed several federal agencies to undertake measures reducing housing costs and supporting homeownership. The order calls for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to pilot automated mortgage insurance cancellations, launches a Task Force on Manufactured Housing Innovation to promote factory-built home adoption, and mandates the expansion of FHFA's title acceptance program to lower refinancing costs. The Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs are instructed to lower interest rates for single-family home loans. The order details coordination across agencies and emphasizes regulatory efficiency, while clarifying all actions remain subject to appropriated funding.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Treasury Issues Proposed Rule to Implement Institutional Buyer Prohibitions Under 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

The Department of the Treasury published a proposed rule on October 23, 2026, to clarify prohibitions on large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes, as mandated by Section 1001 of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The proposed regulation elaborates definitions for program-based purchase exceptions including build-to-rent, renovate-to-rent, homeownership, and homeownership-boosting programs, and provides criteria for documentation and compliance. The rule also defines terms around investor status and property control rights, introduces safe harbors for certain program thresholds, and describes reporting and recordkeeping expectations. Comments on the proposal are due by November 23, 2026, with the act’s restrictions taking effect January 7, 2027.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FHFA Pilots Automated Mortgage Insurance Cancellation and Title Acceptance Expansion

A new directive instructs the FHFA to create a pilot program that cancels mortgage insurance premiums for borrowers meeting eligibility through automated valuation. In tandem, FHFA will expand a title insurance waiver pilot to extend refinancing cost reductions and enhance market competition for title products. The Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs will implement measures to reduce single-family home mortgage interest rates. Prior policy actions referenced include institutional homebuyer restrictions, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchases of $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, and a Low Income Housing Tax Credit investment increase.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Proclamation Adjusts Tariffs on Canadian Products Under Section 338

On October 23, 2026, President Trump signed a proclamation amending tariffs on Canadian products in response to retaliatory measures imposed by Canada following the collapse of trade negotiations. The new action removes plywood, certain paper goods, and machinery from covered products, while adding items such as valves, carpets, and waste. These tariffs supplement USMCA provisions and existing Section 232 tariffs, with implementation set for October 30. The administration cites authority under the Tariff Act of 1930, linking trade measures to fair access, job reshoring, and recent manufacturing investments by major U.S. firms.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Department of Commerce Issues Final Countervailing Duty Determination for Canadian Softwood Lumber

On October 19, 2026, the Department of Commerce finalized subsidy rates for Canadian softwood lumber imports, finding that certain producers received countervailable benefits during the 2024 review period. Resolute FP Canada Inc. and affiliates receive a 12.42% rate; West Fraser Mills Ltd. and affiliates, 15.31%; and all other reviewed companies, a 14.11% rate. The decision is based on analysis of federal and provincial subsidy programs, discussions of stumpage market benchmarks by province, and various industry-specific grant and tax measures. Final cash deposit rates apply to U.S. Customs entries beginning with publication of the notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US single-family housing starts plunge; building permits hit 3-1/2-year low: September data shows U.S. single-family housing starts and building permits have dropped to the lowest levels in over three years.
• U.S. Housing Starts Dropped Again in September: U.S. housing starts declined for another consecutive month in September, according to the latest government statistics.
• Trump signs order aimed at reducing single-family housing costs: President Trump signed an executive order on October 22 to lower single-family housing costs through mortgage and regulatory changes.
• Home Prices Are Starting to Fall in Some Pockets of the U.S.: Home prices in certain U.S. regions are declining as mortgage rates and affordability concerns shift consumer demand.
• In San Francisco, a Family Earning $325,000 Qualifies for Government Aid: A New York Times report finds that San Francisco's high costs now make households earning $325,000 eligible for assistance.
• 26 Ideas for Solving the Affordability Crisis: Policy and industry experts present 26 approaches to addressing the national housing affordability challenge.
• Why We Can’t Solve the Affordability Crisis: This analysis reviews decades of efforts and factors limiting progress on broad affordability reforms.
• Do You Really Own Your Home? A Tax Revolt Says No.: Politico examines property tax policies fueling homeowner unrest and changing the debate on housing costs.
• Can larger batteries safely power residential buildings? A project in New York aims to show how: An AP story explores a New York pilot testing large battery systems in apartment settings.
• India's Godrej Properties reports profit slump on soaring construction costs: Construction cost increases affect major Indian developers' margins, highlighting industry-wide cost pressures.

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