New Environmental Review Process Will Boost Infrastructure Projects
The Trump administration today proposed regulatory reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act that will boost infrastructure projects that are needed to support residential land development projects.
“The plan to reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the most recent example of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce harmful regulations that hurt small businesses and impede economic growth,” said NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde. “Updating NEPA will streamline the federal permitting process and allow badly needed transportation and infrastructure projects to move forward. In turn, this will build strong communities and support a thriving housing market.”
NEPA was intended to provide an important environmental check on major federal actions. However, it has often been misused to improperly delay or prohibit vital infrastructure projects or to thwart implementation of needed reforms to federal environmental regulations.
NAHB CEO Jerry Howard represented NAHB at the White House event announcing the proposed overhaul on how federal agencies will implement NEPA. NAHB believes the administration deserves credit for its actions to remove federal regulatory barriers across all federal agencies that impact the larger U.S. economy, including regulations that affect housing.
“We welcome any NEPA reforms that streamline the regulatory process and reduce unnecessary costs and delays,” said Howard. “At the same time, we urge President Trump and the administration to continue their efforts to highlight and eliminate regulatory barriers to affordable housing at all levels of government.”
Latest from NAHBNow
Workforce Development | National Housing Endowment
Aug 12, 2026
New NHE-Funded Tool Maps Training Opportunities Nationwide
ConstructionSkillsMap.org, a new nationwide tool funded by the National Housing Endowment, makes it easier to find skilled trades training opportunities in communities across the country.
Sustainability and Green Building
Aug 11, 2026
Achieving NGBS Green+ Certification to Stay Competitive in the Marketplace
The newly released 2025 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) provides many options for building more sustainably. NGBS Green Certification provides independent, third-party verification for a home, building, or land development. For those who wish to provide even more value for their clients, NGBS Green+ certifications recognize NGBS Green homes that go “above and beyond” in one or more areas of sustainability. Here are the seven certification options.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 11, 2026
Existing Home Sales Fall in July
Existing home sales continued to slow in July as record-high home prices and elevated mortgage rates weighed on buyers. Mortgage rates resumed an upward trend after the ceasefire ended in early July.
Economics
Aug 11, 2026
Weaker Demand for Residential Mortgages in Second Quarter
Demand for all types of residential mortgages was weaker, while lending standards for most were essentially unchanged in the second quarter of 2026, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Economics
Aug 10, 2026
Wage Growth for Residential Building Workers Continues to Cool
Wage growth for residential building workers continued to lose momentum in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting softer housing construction activity and weaker labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both nominal and inflation-adjusted wages have weakened further, extending the cooling trend that emerged after the strong wage gains of the post-pandemic period.