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Freedom to Build Act

USA119th CongressHR-9625| House 
| Updated: 7/9/2026
Monica De La Cruz

Monica De La Cruz

Republican Representative

Texas

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Freedom to Build Act" directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a new "Freedom to Build" designation for eligible localities. This voluntary designation, effective for five years and renewable, aims to recognize communities that actively work to alleviate housing supply constraints, with a public list of designated localities maintained. Localities can qualify by adopting a minimum number of reforms across three categories: promoting construction innovation, streamlining the development approval process, and protecting property rights by eliminating excessive mandates. Examples include aligning local codes with national standards, establishing binding timelines for permit decisions, and prohibiting rent control or growth moratoria. Alternatively, qualification is possible by demonstrating sustained housing supply growth that meets an affordability-adjusted target set by the Secretary. This target will be higher for areas with rising housing costs and lower for affordable markets, measured at the metropolitan or regional level. A key incentive for designated localities is prioritized access to competitive federal grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing and community development. Congress also encourages other federal agencies to consider this designation as a positive factor for relevant grant applications.
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Timeline
Mar 26, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4265
Introduced in Senate
Jul 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  • March 26, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4265
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 9, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Freedom to Build Act

USA119th CongressHR-9625| House 
| Updated: 7/9/2026
The "Freedom to Build Act" directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a new "Freedom to Build" designation for eligible localities. This voluntary designation, effective for five years and renewable, aims to recognize communities that actively work to alleviate housing supply constraints, with a public list of designated localities maintained. Localities can qualify by adopting a minimum number of reforms across three categories: promoting construction innovation, streamlining the development approval process, and protecting property rights by eliminating excessive mandates. Examples include aligning local codes with national standards, establishing binding timelines for permit decisions, and prohibiting rent control or growth moratoria. Alternatively, qualification is possible by demonstrating sustained housing supply growth that meets an affordability-adjusted target set by the Secretary. This target will be higher for areas with rising housing costs and lower for affordable markets, measured at the metropolitan or regional level. A key incentive for designated localities is prioritized access to competitive federal grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing and community development. Congress also encourages other federal agencies to consider this designation as a positive factor for relevant grant applications.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 26, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4265
Introduced in Senate
Jul 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  • March 26, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4265
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 9, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Monica De La Cruz

Monica De La Cruz

Republican Representative

Texas

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted