Representatives Flood and Goodlander Introduce Bill to Address Challenges with Build America, Buy America in Housing Sector

By Libby O’Neill, NLIHC Senior Policy Analyst

Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE) and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) introduced the “Build Housing Affordably Act” (H.R.9311) on June 15. The bill would require HUD to conduct a study on the impacts of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) program on affordable housing development and preservation projects; pause implementation of BABA requirements while the study is being conducted; and establish a 90-day deadline for BABA waiver reviews.  

The “Build America, Buy America Act” was enacted as part of the 2021 “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” and requires federal infrastructure programs to use iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials produced in the United States. BABA requirements apply to major federal housing and community development programs administered by HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including Public Housing, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the National Housing Trust Fund, USDA Rural Rental Housing Program, and several others. While the policy has good intentions, it has created significant delays, cost increases, and administrative burden for affordable housing projects.  

NLIHC has endorsed the bill and supports efforts to assess the impacts of BABA on affordable housing supply and seek practical solutions for the various sectors involved. This kind of program reform is an important piece of addressing the nation’s affordable housing crisis; however, sustained investments in federal programs are needed to assist households with the greatest needs—those with extremely low incomes and those at risk of homelessness. 

Read Representative Flood’s press release here. 

Read Representative Goodlander’s press release here. 

Read the bill text here.