The White House says it is assembling a broad plan to ease U.S. housing costs, with Cabinet members coordinating proposals to present to President Trump after Christmas. Kevin Hassett told Fox News the administration expects to announce a package early next year. Potential measures under consideration include easing zoning rules and expanding longer-term mortgage options. The effort comes as 76% of voters now view the economy negatively and affordability has become a key political issue.
White House Readies Major Plan to Tackle Housing Affordability as Prices Bite
The Trump administration has faced mounting pressure over the nation’s worsening housing affordability crisis.
The White House says it is preparing a comprehensive package to address mounting housing affordability pressures, and Cabinet officials are coordinating on a proposal expected early next year.
Kevin Hassett, the White House economic director, told Fox News Sunday that “everybody in the whole Cabinet is working on trying to get housing to be more affordable.” He said officials have compiled a list of vetted ideas that they plan to present to President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the days after Christmas.
President Donald Trump faces a key economic test this holiday season as affordability issues dominate voter sentiment.
“We are going to have a plan, a big plan, to announce sometime soon in the new year that's going to be very good news for the American people who feel like it’s not affordable to buy a home anymore,” Hassett said.
What the Administration Is Considering
While Hassett declined to provide full details, the administration has previously explored several policy options that could be part of the package, including:
Zohran Mamdani, the next mayor of New York City, placed affordability at the center of his campaign to lead America's largest city.
- Relaxing certain zoning restrictions to increase housing supply;
- Expanding access to longer-term mortgage products to reduce monthly payments;
- Other measures aimed at lowering borrowing costs and encouraging construction of more affordable units.
Political Context
The push comes as housing affordability becomes a prominent political issue. A recent Fox News national survey found that 76% of voters rate the economy negatively, up from 67% in July and 70% at the end of President Biden's term. The poll also shows more voters currently blame President Trump than his predecessor for economic conditions, and approval of Trump's economic stewardship has declined.
Democratic candidates emphasized affordability in recent state and local races — particularly in places where housing and utility costs have been high — and that messaging helped them win contests in states such as Virginia, New York and New Jersey. Democrats campaigned on reducing energy costs, boosting affordable housing and protecting middle-class wages, themes that resonated with financially strained voters.
The Road Ahead
Officials say the list of housing ideas has been carefully vetted by Cabinet secretaries and will be presented to the president for selection. The key test for the administration will be translating policy proposals into concrete relief that lowers costs for prospective homebuyers and renters.
“We have a big list of housing ideas that have been vetted very carefully by the Cabinet secretaries to present to the president in a week or two and we will see which ones he picks,” Hassett said.
Observers will be watching for specifics and a timeline when the administration announces the plan in the new year.
