Key Takeaways

• The National Housing Emergency Act aims to address the U.S. housing crisis by calling for a national emergency declaration and increased production of housing materials.
• The bill seeks to construct 4 million new housing units and restrict local regulations that hinder housing development until this goal is achieved or until 2031.
• It would expand the Defense Production Act to prioritize the production of essential materials like lumber and steel for housing needs.

National Housing Emergency Act Introduced

Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan has announced the National Housing Emergency Act, urging President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency in response to the country’s housing shortage. The objective of this legislation is to construct an additional 4 million housing units across the U.S. Moreover, it seeks to use the Defense Production Act to enhance the domestic production of materials critical for building and renovating homes.

Slotkin emphasized that achieving homeownership is a vital part of the American Dream, which has become increasingly out of reach for many middle-class families. “The United States is in a housing crisis, and we need to act now,” she remarked, reflecting on the longstanding need for a federal response that she began advocating for last summer.

Current statistics depict a worsening situation; the proportion of first-time homeowners has dropped to an unprecedented 21% in 2025, while the average age for these purchasers has climbed to 40 years old. Additionally, rates of homelessness hit all-time highs in 2024. In light of these challenges, local governments have been seeking solutions to facilitate housing growth, such as easing restrictive zoning laws.

Federal efforts to address the crisis are gaining momentum, as illustrated by the introduction of competing housing production bills in both Congress chambers. Furthermore, President Trump recently proposed that the federal government should buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to lower mortgage rates.

The legislation introduced by Slotkin is designed to compel state and local governments to make regulatory adjustments to boost housing production. It envisions an expansion of the Defense Production Act, originally established in 1950, giving the president authority to prioritize contracts for essential materials crucial to bolstering national defense. The proposed act would extend these provisions to focus specifically on housing.

Additionally, a “pro-growth requirement” is included in the bill, positing that states or localities must demonstrate a commitment to housing development to receive federal block grant funding. Slotkin’s office noted, “No one gets a blank check: It rewards pro-growth communities with federal dollars and holds accountable communities that refuse to grow.”

In summary, the National Housing Emergency Act represents a significant federal initiative aimed at tackling America’s pressing housing crisis. By advocating the construction of millions of new housing units and facilitating material production, it seeks to restore accessibility to homeownership for future generations and alleviate the rising tide of homelessness. The coming months will determine the act’s impact on housing policies across the nation.

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