The Trump administration is at odds over an executive order targeting housing affordability, people familiar with the talks told Semafor. The White House has grappled with how to address the cost of living ahead of the midterms, which are less than two weeks away.
A six-section draft viewed by Semafor would make it easier for some homeowners to “proactively” cancel their mortgage insurance; create an interagency task force on manufactured housing; allow more homeowners to refinance without title insurance; and direct the Agriculture and VA departments to lower interest rates for single-family home loans.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte is pushing for Trump to sign it as soon as this week, some of the people said, while others in the administration are pumping the brakes. Housing groups have expressed concern over some proposed changes, the people said, which they warn could wind up boosting prices.
The White House and Pulte did not comment.
“It’s definitely on everyone’s radar, and I think people are really just hoping that it’s not something that’s done for theatrics; that if it is done, it’s more real and has substance to it,” one industry representative said of the executive order. “I mean, people aren’t against stabilizing housing costs, right? But they just want it done in a cautious and safe way.”
Scotsman Guide earlier reported on the talks.
— Eleanor Mueller