Senator Slotkin Introduces Bill to Address High Housing Costs

By Senator Elissa Slotlin

Big News - this week, I introduced my first bill of 2026 -- the National Housing Emergency Act of 2026. My bill addresses one of the biggest costs middle-class Michiganders face each month: Housing.

I don’t know a single Michigander who believes that housing is affordable. And there is nothing more fundamental to the American Dream than owning your own home, and it has become increasingly difficult for middle class Americans to do this. The United States is in a housing crisis, and we need to act now.  

The National Housing Emergency Act of 2026 declares a housing emergency that will continue until 4 million homes are built. My bill does the following:  

• Creates a new housing standard by choosing how the federal government gives out money. No one gets a blank check: It rewards pro-growth communities with federal dollars and holds accountable communities that refuse to grow.

  
  

• Pushes states and localities to cut regulations and make way for more housing. It compels state and local governments to change laws like allowing commercial properties to get turned into housing, eliminating single-family zoning or allowing for accessory dwelling units, like “in-law suites” or “granny flats”.  

  
  

• Uses the full strength of the U.S government through the Defense Production Act to direct domestic industries to produce essential materials (lumber, steel, manufactured housing) and services to speed up housing development and rehabilitation.

  
  

• During the emergency, the bill institutes a freeze for states or localities from passing laws, rules or regulations that imposes a burden on the construction or rehabilitation of housing during the period of the emergency. 

In June 2025, I called for a national housing emergency in my Economic War Plan speech — this legislation is a concrete follow up to that end.

Contact Senator Slotkin's Traverse City office at 231-929-1031 or her office in Washington DC at 202-224-4822.