National Housing Emergency Act of 2026

S 3600 declares a national housing emergency, requiring the President to use the Defense Production Act to boost domestic materials for housing construction and rehabilitation. It temporarily suspends federal environmental reviews for housing projects, removes barriers like zoning restrictions (e.g., minimum lot sizes, parking requirements), and waives certain regulations affecting housing development. States and localities must meet housing growth targets - such as increasing permits or allowing duplexes - to qualify for federal block grants. The bill aims to address a projected 4 million housing shortage by accelerating construction, with the emergency ending when 4 million units are built or by 2031.