Trump signs executive orders on home affordability ahead of midterms

President Trump signed two executive orders intended to reduce federal regulatory burdens on housing development and mortgages, and the Senate recently passed a bipartisan housing bill whose path in the House is uncertain.

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Friday aimed at easing home affordability. They seek to reduce federal regulatory burdens on housing development and on mortgage processes. Housing affordability has become a prominent issue for voters ahead of the November midterm elections. The Senate also passed a bipartisan housing bill this week, though its status in the House is unclear. Key facts: - President Trump signed two executive orders focused on housing affordability by reducing federal regulatory burdens on development and mortgages. - The first order directs agencies to promote faster permitting and to ease certain building and environmental requirements; the second aims to simplify mortgage rules and make it easier for community banks to provide loans. - The Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill; the bill's path in the House is uncertain. - The article notes that state and local policy choices and mortgage market conditions will influence how quickly any federal changes affect construction and borrowing costs. Summary: The administration presented the orders as measures to ease home buying costs ahead of the midterms, while Congress is also considering bipartisan housing legislation. Undetermined at this time.