Representative John James of Michigan’s 10th District has introduced the Path to Affordable Homes Act, a bill aimed at reducing regulatory costs associated with building new homes. The proposed legislation seeks to address what James describes as burdensome “green” building codes that he says increase housing prices and restrict consumer choice.
Currently, the Department of Energy (DOE) reviews updates to national model energy codes. If these updates are found to improve energy efficiency, states must consider adopting them. According to James, under the Biden Administration, the DOE has consistently approved stricter codes and linked federal grants to even more demanding requirements.
Industry groups such as the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association of Michigan report that regulatory costs now add about $94,000 to the price of a new home in Michigan. Of this amount, $24,000 is attributed directly to building code changes over the last ten years. The median price for a new home in 2025 is reported at $448,520, with more than 78% of Michigan households priced out of purchasing at this level.
James stated: “Four years of Joe Biden brought massive inflation, harmful regulations raising the costs on everything from gas, to groceries, to homes, and now Whitmer is trying to push new building codes that are expected to add $15,000 to the cost of a new home,” said James. “Already in Michigan, regulatory costs add $93,870 to each new home, and for every $1,000 increase in home price, 3,393 households are priced out of the market. My bill is simple—it will cut the cost of building homes so new families can afford to buy a house, and seniors can stay in theirs. It delivers real home affordability now and empowers Americans to build generation wealth for the future.”
The Path to Affordable Homes Act would require DOE evaluations of future code revisions based on five criteria: cost-effectiveness for homeowners and builders; direct relation to energy efficiency; technological feasibility; reliability without harming electric grid stability; and neutrality regarding fuel sources.
James has served as a member of Congress representing Michigan’s 10th District since 2023. He was born in Detroit in 1981 and currently resides in Farmington Hills.
By setting these standards for code evaluation, James aims for his bill to prevent further increases in housing costs due to federal mandates.
