# Buy America rules raise housing costs

> Federal sourcing rules delay affordable housing projects by 15-20%.
- Title: Buy America rules raise housing costs · The Real Deal
- Summary: Federal sourcing rules delay affordable housing projects by 15-20%. HUD's Buy America mandate increases housing costs by 15-20% for developers using domestic…
- Keywords: buy america, affordable housing, federal funding, construction costs, housing authority, domestic materials, real estate, The Real Deal
- Source: The Real Deal — https://therealdeal.com/national/2026/11/10/buy-america-drives-up-costs-delays-affordable-projects
- Author: TRD Staff
- Published: 2026-11-10T20:53:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: buy america, affordable housing, federal funding, construction costs, housing authority, domestic materials, real estate, business
## Buy America mandate
Federal sourcing rules require domestic materials for HUD-funded housing projects.
## Cost increases
Public housing projects face 15-20% higher costs due to compliance with sourcing rules.
## Project delays
Developers abandon solar panels and reduce building units due to sourcing challenges.
## Key takeaway

HUD's Buy America mandate increases housing costs by 15-20% for developers using domestic materials.