Senator Introduces Bill to Cut Regulations and Provide Grants for Single-Family Home Construction
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., introduced the Freedom to Build Act to address regulations that add nearly $100,000 to the cost of building single-family homes. The bill would create a federal designation providing grants to builders and communities for offsetting costs and incentivizing deregulation. Communities opting into the designation would receive priority for grants from the Department of Hous
rt.com# Freedom to Build Act Introduction Sen. , introduced the Freedom to Build Act on April 14, 2026. The legislation aims to reduce regulations that add nearly $100,000 to the cost of building single-family homes.
It would create a designation providing federal grants to builders and communities to offset construction costs and incentivize deregulation. Communities can opt into the Freedom to Build designation to receive priority for federal grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sen.
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Economic Report on Housing Costs The Economic Report of the President describes the bureaucrat tax as adding between 24% and 29% of the cost of a new home.
The report states that the bureaucrat tax adds over $100,000 to the cost of a new single-family home. It also states that home prices rose sharply between 2012 and 2021 due to strong demand against tight supply from bureaucratic costs and delays. Fox News reported on the introduction of the Freedom to Build Act and its focus on these regulatory impacts.
Related Legislation in Congress The Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act last month on a bipartisan vote.
The act is geared toward helping first-time homebuyers and lower-income Americans access the housing market. It includes a ban on institutional investors buying up homes. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act has not advanced in the House due to frustrations with Senate tweaks, including the institutional investor ban.
Fox News reported on these developments in housing legislation.
Story Timeline
3 events- 2026-04-14
Sen. Bill Hagerty introduces the Freedom to Build Act.
1 sourceFox News - 2026-03
Senate passes the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on bipartisan vote.
1 sourceFox News - 2012-2021
Home prices rise sharply due to strong demand against tight supply from bureaucratic costs and delays, per Economic Report of the President.
1 sourceEconomic Report of the President
Potential Impact
- 01
Ongoing delays for 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in House due to Senate provisions.
- 02
Increased federal grants for opting communities, prioritizing HUD funding.
- 03
Potential reduction in single-family home construction costs through deregulation incentives.
- 04
Streamlining of redundant regulations, as stated by Sen. Hagerty.
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