President Trump’s Executive Order barring institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes was one of last week’s several welcome policy actions aimed at curtailing the affordability crisis gripping rural America. Congress also passed several bipartisan appropriations bills which, if enacted, would provide robust funding for critical programs and resources such as the US Treasury Department’s CDFI Fund, as well as several programs administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the US Department of Agriculture. HAC applauds the latest policy advancements toward making rural housing more affordable for renters and homebuyers all over the country.

According to the Council of Economic Advisors report, rural rents have increased 31.5 percent over the past two decades, while rural renter incomes have increased just 5.5 percent in the same span of time. Additionally, HAC research shows that while non-rural markets experienced a 10 percent growth in housing supply over the last decade, rural housing supply only experienced a 1 percent increase in the same span.

Both this week’s Executive Order, and the advances made in Congress, are steps in the right direction, and could ultimately lead to powerful tools in the fight against the rural housing affordability crisis. HAC also believes that the affordability crisis in rural America requires a sustained and intentional effort using proven existing tools. While Congress has made welcome progress, funds for several critical programs have yet to be distributed to applicants who are working daily to help low-income rural renters and homeowners.  HAC looks forward to working with the Administration and the dedicated career employees at HUD, Treasury, and USDA, to ensure that this backlog, as well as newly appropriated fiscal 2026 funds, are brought to bear urgently on the housing challenges faced by rural Americans.