Senator Slotkin's National Housing Emergency Bill Aims to Address Crisis

Senator Slotkin Introduces National Housing Emergency Act to Combat Housing Shortage

In response to a significant housing crisis affecting the United States, Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan has launched an ambitious legislative effort aimed at resolving the critical lack of housing units across the country. The National Housing Emergency Act has been proposed to empower President Donald Trump to declare a national housing emergency and use the Defense Production Act for increasing the production of essential construction materials.

Slotkin's introduction of the bill reflects an urgent push to alleviate the country's housing deficit, which she notes currently stands at approximately four million units. To tackle this issue, she is advocating for steps to enhance domestic material availability while urging state and local authorities to cut down on bureaucratic hurdles that delay the creation of housing for the middle class.

In a recent social media video, Slotkin highlighted that builders are often reluctant to respond to the rising demand due to strict local zoning regulations. Her legislative plan includes potential penalties for municipalities that do not adjust their regulations, which could result in losing access to certain federal funding. “No matter how you do it, you have to be showing that you are adding units in your community in order to qualify for a bunch of federal programs on infrastructure and transportation,” she stated, emphasizing the need for active development in housing.

The proposed legislation also includes measures to prevent local governments from implementing new, potentially obstructive rules during the declared housing emergency. Recognizing the challenges her proposal may face, Slotkin remarked, “It’ll be controversial. Not everyone will like it. But when you’re in the middle of an emergency, you can’t make everybody happy.”

This national housing emergency would remain in effect until the nation successfully adds or rehabilitates four million housing units or until the end of 2031, whichever occurs first.