Trending Now - US Housing Crisis Deepens as Buy America Law Delays Projects

WHO:

President Joe Biden signed the Build America, Buy America Act as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.

Tyler Norod, president of Westbrook Development Corporation.

Diana Lene, a 76-year-old resident of Fargo, North Dakota.

Dan Madler, CEO of nonprofit developer Beyond Shelter.

Julie Hoebel, a developer in Denver.

Scott Turner, HUD Secretary.

Jessica Neubelt, a Vermont-based developer.

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, a Nebraska Republican.

Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

Kaitlyn Snyder, managing director of the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association.

Roy Houseman, legislative director at United Steelworkers.

WHAT:

The Build America, Buy America law requires that most materials in federally funded affordable housing projects be made in America.

Developers report construction delays and increased costs due to the law, with some spending over $60,000 on consultants to find American-made materials.

Diana Lene has been on affordable housing waitlists for five years.

Dan Madler is building a 36-unit building for affordable housing but has postponed lumber orders due to compliance issues.

Julie Hoebel submitted waivers for around 125 materials in an 85-unit building in November, which have not been approved.

HUD is taking at least six months to approve many waivers.

Jessica Neubelt estimates she spent an additional $150,000 to verify American-made materials for her project.

Some developers are considering avoiding federal funds altogether to bypass BABA requirements.

WHERE:

Fargo, North Dakota, where Diana Lene resides.

Maine, where Tyler Norod's company builds affordable housing.

Denver, Colorado, where Julie Hoebel operates.

Vermont, where Jessica Neubelt is based.

Kentucky, where Scott McReynolds is developing housing.

WHEN:

The Build America, Buy America Act was signed in 2021.

Diana Lene has been on waitlists since 2021.

Julie Hoebel submitted waivers in November 2025.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner was asked about delays in January 2026.

The housing bill passed the Senate in March 2026.

WHY:

The law aims to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and support American-made materials.

Developers face challenges due to a lack of available American-made products, which have historically been imported.

HOW:

Developers can apply for waivers to use non-American-made materials, but the process has been slow and cumbersome.

The waiver process has resulted in construction delays and increased costs for developers.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 15:17 UTC)

President Biden's Build America, Buy America Act, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in 2021, mandates that most materials in federally funded affordable housing projects be sourced from American manufacturers. However, developers like Dan Madler and Julie Hoebel are experiencing significant construction delays and increased costs, with some even spending over $150,000 to verify compliance with the law, while others consider forgoing federal funds altogether to avoid these challenges. Diana Lene, a resident of Fargo, North Dakota, has been on affordable housing waitlists since 2021, highlighting the impact of these regulations on individuals in need of housing.