Reps. Flood (R-NE) and Goodlander (D-NH) Introduce the Build Housing Affordably Act

LINCOLN, NE - Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE), Chairman of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, and U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) introduced H.R. 9311, the bipartisan "Build Housing Affordably Act." The bill provides immediate relief to affordable housing developers from Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements that are freezing important housing projects across the country.

"Across the country, and especially in Nebraska, the shortage of affordable housing options is making life more expensive for families," said Congressman Flood (R-NE). "Our bipartisan Build Housing Affordably Act cuts the government red tape and bureaucracy standing in the way of building homes American families can afford. Congress is making real progress on addressing the rising cost of home ownership, and this bill keeps us moving toward a future where an affordable home is once again within reach for every family."

"New Hampshire is in a full-blown housing crisis, and hardworking people are paying the price every month in higher rents and home prices they cannot afford," said Congresswoman Goodlander (D-NH). "Right now, a single federal rule is senselessly jacking up costs and adding massive delays to the urgent mission before us: building the tens of thousands of homes the people of New Hampshire urgently need. Our bipartisan Build Housing Affordably Act cuts needless red tape that is standing in our way and paves the way for affordable homes, built much sooner, at a lower cost to the Granite Staters who need them."

Click here for the full text of the bill.

Click here for one-pager on the bill.

Click here for a detailed section-by-section of the bill.

Background: After passage of the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" in 2021, Build America, Buy America requirements-which require iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials for federally assisted infrastructure projects to be domestically produced-have been applied to the construction, rehabilitation and repair of affordable housing projects.

While well-intentioned, BABA has proven to be a top regulatory barrier to building more affordable housing supply using federal programs like the HOME Investment Partnership Program. Congressman Flood has highlighted the effects of BABA on affordable housing projects at past congressional hearings this Congress, including:

• Full Committee Hearing with HUD Secretary Turner in January, 2026.

• Full Committee Hearing Entitled, "Building Capacity: Reducing Government Roadblocks to Housing Supply" on December 3, 2025.

Summary: The Build Housing Affordably Act streamlines BABA implementation to strike a better balance between promoting domestic production and continuing the development of affordable housing projects across the country. The bill would:

• Require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct a study of the effects on BABA on affordable housing development and the BABA waiver process. Following the completion of this study, HUD must present its findings in a report to Congress.

• Halt implementation of BABA for covered affordable housing projects until 60 days after the report is delivered to Congress.
• Institute a 90-day timeline for reviewing BABA waivers for affordable housing projects. If waivers are not processed within 90 days, the waiver shall be deemed to have been granted.

The following groups support the Build Housing Affordably Act: Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), Council of State Community Development Associations (COSCDA), Enterprise Community Partners, Habitat for Humanity International, Housing Advisory Group, Housing Partnership Network (HPN), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Apartment Association (NAA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA), National Association of REALTORS (NAR), National Association of State and Local Equity Funds (NASLEF), National Community Development Association (NCDA), National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA), National Housing & Rehabilitation Association (NH&RA), National Housing Trust, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), National NeighborWorks Association, Novogradac, Public Housing Authority Directors Association (PHADA), Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), and Up for Growth Action.

Congressman Flood serves as Chairman of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, Chair of the Republican Main Street Caucus, and is a Member of the Financial Services Committee.