P
resident Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration is committed to making homeownership attainable for Americans priced out of the market. Speaking via video at a Department of Housing and Urban Development event on the National Mall, he emphasized that affordable ownership is a cornerstone of the American dream and pledged daily efforts to turn that promise into reality for millions. “Together we can place millions more families in their own homes,” he added.
The remarks arrive amid a housing crisis that has pushed affordability to a multidecade low. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the homeownership rate fell to 65 % in Q2 2025, the lowest level since 2019. Trump, who has a background in real‑estate development, noted, “I know what it is to build things,” underscoring his familiarity with the industry.
While specific policy details were sparse, Trump highlighted progress on key campaign pledges, including the removal of burdensome regulations for homebuilders. “We’re slashing permitting delays and eliminating a record number of costly rules,” he said. “We’ve tackled the worst inflation in our history, lowered mortgage rates, cut energy costs, and sparked unprecedented economic growth.”
The comments follow a week after Trump signaled that he may declare a national housing emergency this fall. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that officials are evaluating emergency measures to reduce closing costs and standardize the patchwork of building and zoning codes nationwide.
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue, with relative affordability near a 40‑year low and nearly half of renter households spending over 30 % of their income on rent. However, any federal intervention must contend with the fact that most supply‑influencing policies are set at the state and local levels.
Trump’s statements were delivered during HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase, an annual event that spotlights cutting‑edge construction methods aimed at boosting production and lowering buyer costs. The five‑day showcase on the National Mall, concluding Wednesday, features full‑scale models of manufactured, 3D‑printed, and modular homes. This year, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the theme is “The American Home Is the American Dream,” honoring 250 years of homeownership evolution.
HUD Deputy Secretary Andrew Hughes opened the showcase by noting that owning a home epitomizes independence and opportunity, whether in 1776 or 2026. He and HUD Secretary Scott Turner used the platform to reinforce the administration’s focus on deregulating homebuilders and empowering the private sector. “The lasting solution to America’s housing challenges lies in private‑sector innovation,” Hughes said. “This showcase demonstrates how the skill, drive, and creativity of market innovators drive down costs and fuel our nation’s success.”
In sum, Trump’s message underscores a renewed commitment to affordable homeownership, a push to streamline regulations, and a call for federal action to address the affordability crisis, all framed within the broader context of a historic celebration of the American home.
