Affordable Housing Council (E.O. 13878)

Summary

Establishes a council to identify and reduce government rules that increase housing costs, aiming to make homes more affordable for American families.

What problem does this solve?

Many Americans cannot afford a home because government rules make building new houses too expensive. This order creates a special council to find and remove these rules to help lower housing prices.

What does this order do?

Creates a new White House council

Establishes the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing to address the high cost of homes.

Defines council leadership and members

Names the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as the chair and includes heads of Treasury, Labor, Energy, and others as members.

Outlines the council's mission

Tasks the council with identifying rules at all government levels that raise housing costs and recommending ways to reduce them.

Requires a report to the President

Directs the council to submit a report on its findings and actions within 12 months of the order.

Sets a termination date

Specifies that the council will end on January 21, 2021, unless the President decides to extend it.

Who does this affect?

Low- and middle-income families
Housing developers and builders
State and local governments

What is the real world impact?

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Makes housing more affordable

Aims to lower the cost of homes for families by increasing the number of available houses. It does this by finding and removing government rules that make it hard or expensive to build new homes.

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Boosts economic growth

Suggests that when people can afford to live near good jobs, the whole country's economy grows faster. Removing building rules could help workers move to areas with more opportunities.

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Favors developers over local control

Critics might argue that removing regulations, such as environmental protections or zoning laws, could prioritize the profits of developers over the needs and safety of local communities.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately on June 25, 2019, and sets specific deadlines for the new council.

Council's first report due

The council must submit its first report to the President within 12 months, by June 25, 2020.

Council termination date

The council is scheduled to end its work on January 21, 2021, unless the President extends its operation.