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Freedom to Build Act

USA119th CongressS-4265| Senate 
| Updated: 3/26/2026
Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Freedom to Build Act," mandates the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a "Freedom to Build" designation for eligible localities. This designation, effective for a 5-year period and renewable, aims to incentivize communities to address housing supply challenges. HUD will maintain and publish a public list of all designated localities. Localities can qualify for this designation through two primary paths. First, they can certify the adoption of a minimum number of reforms from three categories: unleashing construction innovation , fast-tracking the approval process , and defending property rights and family freedom . These reforms target regulatory barriers, approval delays, and restrictive mandates. Second, as an alternative, localities can qualify by demonstrating sustained housing supply growth that meets an affordability-adjusted target established by HUD, which is higher for areas with high and rising housing costs. A key provision of the bill is that localities with a Freedom to Build designation will receive priority for competitive grants administered by HUD that relate to housing or community development. Furthermore, Congress expresses a sense that other federal agencies, such as the Departments of Transportation and Agriculture, should consider this designation as a positive factor when evaluating applications for infrastructure, transportation, and community development grants where housing supply is relevant.
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Timeline
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 26, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  • March 26, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 26, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Freedom to Build Act

USA119th CongressS-4265| Senate 
| Updated: 3/26/2026
This bill, titled the "Freedom to Build Act," mandates the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a "Freedom to Build" designation for eligible localities. This designation, effective for a 5-year period and renewable, aims to incentivize communities to address housing supply challenges. HUD will maintain and publish a public list of all designated localities. Localities can qualify for this designation through two primary paths. First, they can certify the adoption of a minimum number of reforms from three categories: unleashing construction innovation , fast-tracking the approval process , and defending property rights and family freedom . These reforms target regulatory barriers, approval delays, and restrictive mandates. Second, as an alternative, localities can qualify by demonstrating sustained housing supply growth that meets an affordability-adjusted target established by HUD, which is higher for areas with high and rising housing costs. A key provision of the bill is that localities with a Freedom to Build designation will receive priority for competitive grants administered by HUD that relate to housing or community development. Furthermore, Congress expresses a sense that other federal agencies, such as the Departments of Transportation and Agriculture, should consider this designation as a positive factor when evaluating applications for infrastructure, transportation, and community development grants where housing supply is relevant.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 26, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  • March 26, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 26, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

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