June is National Homeownership Month, but for millions of Americans, owning a home feels more out of reach than ever. The Trump administration wants to change that — and fast.
In a recent statement on National Homeownership Month, Housing Secretary Scott Turner made it clear that, under Trump’s leadership, the administration has already cut regulations, embraced innovative housing solutions, and helped more first-time buyers make the American dream a reality. But, as Turner noted, “these accomplishments are only the beginning” of what the administration calls a new Golden Age of homeownership.
For Trump, restoring the American dream begins with restoring the ability to own a home. That’s why homeownership is a centerpiece of his plan to rebuild the middle class and why his administration is taking swift action to undo the damage done by four years of failed Biden-era housing policy.
When Trump left office in 2021, mortgage rates were around 2.65%. By the time Biden left, they had nearly tripled. That translated into an extra $1,100 per month — over $12,000 a year — just to cover the same mortgage. Families now need to save nearly $70,000 to afford a down payment. That’s not a dream. That’s a dead end.
This crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. It was fueled by reckless spending, misguided subsidies, and layers of bureaucratic red tape. Biden’s regulatory onslaught made it harder to build homes and more expensive to buy them, while working families paid the price. It’s no wonder many Americans have started to question whether homeownership is still possible.
Trump knows it is, and he’s acting on it. He’s tasked Turner with removing the barriers blocking families from achieving the stability and pride that come with owning a home.
The plan is simple: build more homes, cut needless regulations, and restore the economic conditions that allow Americans to thrive. That means taking on outdated zoning laws, slashing permitting delays, and reversing federal restrictions that punish builders, landlords, and property managers for trying to meet demand.
It’s already happening. HUD has already announced a new slate of reforms designed to supercharge housing development, from expanding the use of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program to preserve and improve affordable units, to launching a first-of-its-kind initiative that helps local governments streamline approvals for housing projects in high-demand areas. It also announced a proposal to build a significant number of new homes on some of the 500 million acres of federal land the Department of the Interior oversees. These are pro-growth policies aimed at accelerating construction, putting more homes on the market now, and reducing prices by increasing supply.
The Trump administration also understands that demonizing the very investment needed to build those homes is not conducive to solving the problem.
While some policymakers on the Left are proposing caps on how many properties institutional investors can own, the Trump administration understands that private capital plays a real role in expanding housing stock. In fact, recent research shows that institutional investors increased the supply of homes available to renters by nearly 70% in the markets where they operate, lowering rents in the process. Many invest in build-to-rent communities, bringing in the capital needed to create new housing options in desirable neighborhoods.
That is why the Trump administration is meeting with all stakeholders, including private equity, and deregulating the industry in a manner that is favorable to any and all individuals who are willing to rebuild America’s housing stock. It’s basic economics that more homes bring cheaper prices.
Building our way out of the crisis also means reviving American manufacturing. The housing industry depends on materials such as steel, drywall, insulation, and appliances, all of which cost more when we outsource production. Trump’s commitment to reshoring those industries will lower costs, create jobs, and fuel a construction boom.
And the administration isn’t just focused on homeownership itself. It’s also boosting the availability of single-family rentals, which help families save while they work toward buying a home. Research from Virginia Tech shows that expanding access to these homes helps children attend higher-performing schools, a powerful engine for upward mobility.
None of this is pie-in-the-sky. It’s basic economics. Remove the artificial constraints and restore supply, and costs will come down. Trump’s approach puts faith in the American worker, the American builder, and the American family.
Experts estimate the United States is short about 4 million homes, a gap that will take years to close. But the answer isn’t to give up. It’s time to revert to pro-growth housing policies proven to work, and that’s exactly what the Trump administration is doing.
FREEING FEDERAL LAND TO REDUCE HOUSING COSTS IS COMMON SENSE
Homeownership shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be a launchpad for families, communities, and the country. Trump is clearing the path to get us there.
It’s time to build again.
Stephanie Holderfield is a housing expert. She served as a former Housing and Urban Development Undersecretary in the Trump administration under former Secretary Ben Carson.