Title 42 › CHAPTER 9 — HOUSING OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE › SUBCHAPTER VIII — CRITICAL DEFENSE HOUSING AREAS › § 1591a
When the President names an area a critical defense housing area, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must publish in the Federal Register how many permanent homes are needed, with basic details on their types, rents or sale prices, and general locations. Rules about residential credit under the Defense Production Act will be loosened to help private builders. For homes sold at $12,000 or less or rented at $85 or less per month, those credit limits are suspended for the number and kinds the President says are needed. For other housing, the credit rules are relaxed as the President decides. Mortgage insurance under Title II will be offered to get the needed housing built. The federal government will only build permanent housing if, after at least 90 days from the mortgage insurance announcement, private builders or eligible lenders have not filed real applications meeting the announced needs and seeking the credit relief or insurance.
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The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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42 U.S.C. § 1591a
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110