The White House has identified overregulation as a primary driver of the nation's housing affordability crisis, pointing to an estimated deficit of 10 million single-family homes. This official stance directly ties restrictive zoning and permitting rules to the supply gap that has fueled soaring prices and rents across the country.
Builders are reportedly facing high construction costs and shrinking profit margins, which the administration suggests are exacerbated by the regulatory environment. The combination of limited supply and rising input costs has created a significant barrier to increasing the housing stock at a pace that meets demand.