1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support Senator Elissa Slotkin's National Housing Emergency Act, introduced on January 8, 2026. This comprehensive legislation addresses the housing crisis that has made homeownership increasingly unattainable for middle-class Americans by creating a pathway to build or rehabilitate 4 million housing units. The bill takes a practical approach by instructing domestic industries to increase production of lumber, steel, and manufactured housing while establishing minimum residential code standards to ensure quality construction. This industrial production boost will accelerate housing development without sacrificing the safety and durability families deserve. The legislation's pro-growth requirements for communities seeking federal block grants from HUD and the Department of Transportation create meaningful incentives for local action. By compelling states and localities to reduce regulatory barriers, including eliminating single-family zoning restrictions, allowing commercial property conversions to housing, and permitting accessory dwelling units, the bill removes the bureaucratic obstacles that have strangled housing supply for decades. The regulatory freeze provision prevents states and localities from passing new laws that would impair housing construction during the emergency period, ensuring that progress cannot be undermined by last-minute obstructionism. The emergency declaration ends when 4 million units are built or rehabilitated, or in October 2031, whichever comes first, providing both a clear goal and a reasonable timeline. Homeownership remains fundamental to building wealth and stability for American families. When housing costs consume an ever-growing share of household budgets, families have less to invest in education, healthcare, and retirement. This crisis demands the kind of coordinated federal response that the National Housing Emergency Act provides. I urge you to cosponsor this legislation and work across the aisle to secure its passage. The housing emergency affects constituents regardless of party affiliation, and this bill offers concrete solutions that deserve bipartisan support.