Upcoming Housing Rules That Could Affect Your Properties – What Providers Need to Know

Rental housing providers should pay attention: Congress is working on new housing policies that could affect how you develop, manage, and operate your properties. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—the annual federal law that sets the U.S. Department of Defense’s budget– was released by the House without the Senate’s housing provisions. Even so, the House Financial Services Committee, led by Chairman French Hill (AR-02), is actively pushing housing reforms aimed at reducing red tape, increasing housing supply, and expanding options for renters.

Why it matters to your properties:

• Potentially faster approvals for new developments and renovations
  
• More flexibility to try innovative housing solutions
  
• Policies that could help meet growing demand from renters
  

Key context: Many bills that impact rental housing, covering development rules, financing, tenant protections, and affordable housing incentives, are referred to the House Financial Services Committee. This makes it a key hub for shaping legislation that will influence the future of rental housing.

Throughout 2025, Chairman Hill’s Committee has held multiple hearings to explore ways to increase housing supply and remove barriers for developers and property owners, including:

• Building Capacity: Reducing Government Roadblocks to Housing Supply (Dec. 3, 2025)
  
• HOME 2.0: Modern Solutions to the Housing Shortage (July 16, 2025)
  
• Housing in the Heartland: Addressing Our Rural Housing Needs (June 12, 2025)
  
• Expanding Choice and Increasing Supply: Housing Innovation in America (May 14, 2025)
  
• Building Our Future: Increasing Housing Supply in America (March 4, 2025)
  

3 Things Rental Providers Can Do Now:

1. Stay Informed: Track hearings and bills coming through the House Financial Services Committee; they often set the stage for rules that affect rental housing.
   
2. Review Development Plans: Identify projects that might benefit from reduced regulatory hurdles or faster approvals.
   
3. Engage with Associations: Collaborate with apartment associations to ensure your voice is heard as legislation is developed.
   

Bottom line: Housing reform is moving forward, even if not all provisions are included in the NDAA yet. Staying proactive now can help rental housing providers be ready for changes that may impact development timelines, regulatory compliance, and operations.

Source: House Financial Services Committee, Press Release, “Chairman Hill on FY26 NDAA and the Path Forward on Housing Reforms,” December 7, 2025.

Publish Date: December 8, 2025