Freedom to Build Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9625
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T13:08:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Freedom to Build Act (H.R. 9625)
Purpose This legislation directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create a voluntary "Freedom to Build" designation for localities that reduce regulatory barriers to housing construction. The goal is to increase housing supply, lower costs, and improve the effectiveness of federal housing and infrastructure investments by recognizing communities that adopt pro-development reforms or achieve measurable supply growth.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Administration: Within 18 months of enactment, HUD must create the designation, maintain a public list of recipients, and allow 5-year terms that are renewable. Localities are not required to participate.
- Qualification Options:
- Reform Adoption: Adopt at least 3 reforms from each of three categories, as defined by HUD through notice-and-comment rulemaking: (1) unleashing construction innovation (e.g., aligning codes with national standards for modular building); (2) fast-tracking approvals (e.g., by-right zoning, timelines with remedies, third-party inspections); and (3) defending property rights (e.g., limits on rent control, set-asides, energy mandates, and growth restrictions).
- Housing Supply Outcomes: Demonstrate sustained supply growth meeting an affordability-adjusted target based on local housing costs and trends, using public data sources. Targets can be met regionally.
- Review and Revocation: HUD reviews reforms and targets every 5 years. Designations may be revoked after notice and a 180-day cure period if reforms are reversed or targets are missed.
- Grant Prioritization: HUD must give priority to designated localities for competitive grants related to housing, community development, or construction. A sense of Congress encourages other agencies to consider the designation favorably in relevant grants.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new federal incentive program without directly amending statutes such as the Internal Revenue Code or existing housing laws. It introduces a voluntary certification system that ties federal grant preferences to local regulatory changes in zoning, permitting, and building codes.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HUD gains new rulemaking, review, and grant administration duties. Other federal agencies may adjust evaluation criteria for infrastructure and community grants.
- Citizens and Localities: Participating areas may see faster housing development and potentially lower costs, while non-participating areas receive no direct changes.
- International Relations: No direct effects are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local governments and municipalities seeking the designation.
- Housing developers, builders, and property owners.
- HUD and other federal agencies administering grants.
- Residents in high-cost housing markets.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The program respects federalism by remaining voluntary and relying on incentives rather than mandates. It involves administrative rulemaking and periodic updates. No constitutional challenges or international provisions are addressed in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Recent Actions
- 2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-07-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-07-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Freedom to Build Act — issued 2026-07-09 — PDF (14 pages)