October 25, 2026 to October 31, 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

Executive Order 14438: Decreasing Housing Costs for the American People

President Trump issued Executive Order 14438 directing several federal agencies to implement measures that reduce regulatory barriers, mortgage origination costs, and promote competitive innovation in housing. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is instructed to initiate a pilot program that uses automated valuation models for proactive cancellation of mortgage insurance, subject to equity and payment requirements. The Task Force on Manufactured Housing Innovation has been formed, co-chaired by the HUD Secretary and FHFA Director, and tasked with streamlining specifications, certifications, and permitting processes across federal housing programs. The Executive Order also mandates expansion of automated title acceptance pilots nationwide, authorizes Department of Agriculture and Department of Veterans Affairs to reduce direct loan rates, and sets cross-agency obligations to advance these initiatives.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Regulatory Waivers Granted for Housing Programs – Q1 2026

HUD published a quarterly notice of regulatory waivers granted from January 1 to March 31, 2026, affecting disaster recovery, mortgage insurance for healthcare facilities, drainage standards for FHA new construction, senior affordable housing funding, and operational requirements in voucher programs. Among waivers granted: Tennessee's CDBG-DR funds are aligned under the Universal Notice for disaster allocations; Hawaii extended ESG Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing fund expenditure deadlines after Maui Wildfires; FHA allowed exceptions in minimum property standards and property fund advances for senior housing. Multiple waivers affected Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), altering requirements for voucher waiting list procedures and assisting with transitions for Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) families amid funding expiration.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Trump Administration Adjusts Imports of Robotics and Industrial Machinery

President Trump signed a Section 232 Proclamation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 targeting imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and components. The proclamation authorizes the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate arrangements with trading partners to address national security concerns arising from U.S. dependency on foreign production for critical technologies. Potential actions outlined include tariffs, duties, quotas, and incentives for domestic manufacturing. The Secretary will monitor developments and recommend further action if necessary for industrial base resilience. This builds on prior Section 232 actions for steel and aluminum industries.

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

Council of Economic Advisers Report: Permitting Reform Projected Economic Benefits

The White House Council of Economic Advisers released an analysis detailing the economic impact of permitting reform under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Environmental Impact Statements currently average 1,700 pages and require 4.2 years for project review, contributing to delays in infrastructure investment. If the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) enforces a two-year NEPA deadline, CEA forecasts a 0.28%-0.56% GDP increase ($82-$164B annually), tax revenue growth of $14-$28B, and lower household expenses. Further shortening reviews to one year could raise GDP up to 0.83% ($243B), but estimates do not account for Environmental Assessments or litigation delays.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

HUD Information Collection Activities: Housing Market and Program Monitoring

Multiple HUD notices were released this week regarding data collection extensions and revisions: The Census Bureau's Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions will shift in 2027 to exclude non-permit-issuing areas, streamlining residential construction reporting. HUD launched revisions for Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building post-award reporting, Section 8 Management Assessment Program certification, Energy and Performance Information Center, and restrictions on assistance to noncitizens. Financial documentation for the HUGS Recipient Portal will enhance federal grants oversight, and information collection from lenders of condominium projects will enable VA loan eligibility reviews. Other notices sought feedback on Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure for HUD/FHA-insured mortgages, migrant worker housing occupancy certificates, and data involved in Federal construction material sourcing per Build America, Buy America Act. HUD solicited input to improve the Foster Youth to Independence program, aiming to address operational and eligibility challenges.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Just About Every Part of Building a House Is Getting More Expensive: Builders are facing rising costs across materials, labor, and compliance.
• EXCLUSIVE: Trump appointee Bill Pulte’s housing agency obstructed watchdog, report says: Reuters reports on alleged obstruction by a federal housing agency leadership.
• The Grand Plan to Build America’s Most Expensive Neighborhood Is Collapsing: A luxury housing megaproject in Malibu is unraveling amid market and operational hurdles.
• The Sinking of a Malibu Megaproject: WSJ details further setbacks in high-end Los Angeles residential development.
• US new home sales fall in September; median house price drops from year ago: Census figures show a decline in new home sales and price drops.
• Can We Make a Dent in the Housing Crisis? Two Projects Say Yes.: Two affordable housing projects aim to impact New York's ongoing housing shortage.
• Home Buyers Who Enjoyed Cheap Adjustable Mortgages Are Now Getting a Nasty Shock: Homeowners with adjustable mortgages face higher payments as rates rise.
• Opinion | What America Is Living Without: The affordability gap leaves many U.S. families unable to access basic housing and amenities.

.