Published On 13 Apr 202613 Apr 2026United States White House economists estimate the US has a shortage of 10 million houses, and say regulatory cuts could lead to more construction to stabilise prices, increase home ownership, and fuel faster economic growth.The analysis, published in a new report on Monday, outlines both a political risk and a messaging opportunity for US President Donald Trump, whose public approval has slumped because of concerns about his tariffs, the US-Israel war on Iran, and his unfulfilled promises to slash inflation and unleash stronger growth.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listTrump signed two executive orders in March directing federal agencies to reduce housing regulatory burdens and make it easier for smaller banks to provide mortgages. But he has been slow to take other steps that would show that high housing costs are a top priority for his administration.Meanwhile, the US-Israel war on Iran has driven up the cost of buying homes, with average rates for 30-year mortgages jumping from just under 6 percent to 6.37 percent.Trump also has argued in favour of keeping home prices high to protect values for existing owners. “I don’t want to drive housing prices down,” Trump told his Cabinet earlier this year. “I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes, and they can be assured that’s what’s going to happen.”The housing chapter of the annual Economic Report of the President, obtained by The As …
