Freedom to Build Act
Sponsored By: Senator Bill Hagerty
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal Freedom to Build designation to reward localities that loosen housing rules or meet measurable housing-production targets. This bill would let places qualify either by adopting a defined set of regulatory reforms or by hitting HUD's affordability-adjusted housing growth goals.
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- Local governments could qualify by certifying at least three adopted reforms in each of three categories: unleashing construction innovation, fast-tracking development approvals, and defending property rights and family freedom.
- Communities could instead qualify by meeting a HUD formula that sets higher growth targets for high-cost markets, measures supply at the metropolitan or housing-market level, and uses public data such as the FHFA House Price Index and the American Community Survey.
- HUD would run the program, publish an annual public list of designated localities, set designations to last five years with renewal, allow at least 180 days to cure material reversals, and prioritize designated places for HUD competitive grants.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
HUD grant priority for designated communities
If enacted, HUD would give priority in all competitive HUD grants related to housing development, community development, and housing construction, rehabilitation, or preservation to applicants located in or primarily serving places with a current Freedom to Build designation. The change would affect how HUD evaluates grant applications but would not create new grant money or change basic eligibility rules.
New HUD Freedom to Build label
If enacted, the bill would require HUD to create a voluntary "Freedom to Build" designation within 18 months. A designation would run for five years and could be renewed if the locality keeps qualifying. HUD would publish a public list of designated places at least once a year. HUD could remove a designation for a material reversal or missed target, but must give written notice and at least 180 days to fix the problem.
How places qualify for HUD priority
If enacted, a locality could qualify for the Freedom to Build label in two ways. Reform path: the locality would certify it adopted at least three reforms in each of three categories — (A) allow modern construction and align local codes with national standards, (B) speed permitting and limit undisclosed fees with deadlines, third‑party inspections, and remedies for delays, and (C) limit some local mandates and certain rent controls on newly issued certificates of occupancy. HUD would set the exact list of reforms and the minimums by notice-and-comment rulemaking. Outcomes path: alternatively, a locality would show sustained housing supply growth that meets an affordability-adjusted target HUD would set using public data (for example, FHFA, ACS, HUD rents, or census counts). Targets would be higher for high-cost, rising-cost markets and could be met alone or via a regional compact. HUD must review the reforms and formula at least every five years.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bill Hagerty
TN • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov