Shenandoah Valley News

Washington, DC – Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) led a group of colleagues in a letter to President Joe Biden, urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) not to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the minimum energy efficiency standard.

In April, HUD and USDA announced the adoption of updated Minimum Energy Standards for new single and multi-family homes. According to the letter, “HUD estimates that applying the 2021 IECC standards would cause new home prices to rise by an average of $7,200 per single-family home.”

The letter also highlights that this standard “will have a disproportionate impact on historically underserved communities and first-time home buyers who are highly sensitive to price and down payment increases at the low- to mid-price range of the housing market.”

Rep. Cline commented, “During a time of 40-year high inflation, mortgage rates climbing to over 7% nationally, and housing affordability plummeting to record lows, the Biden Administration is implementing additional regulations that will only exacerbate the housing crisis. Biden’s burdensome regulations have only had painful consequences – impacting Virginia’s Sixth District and the Nation – and we must oppose this Administration moving forward with another regulation that will make the American Dream of homeownership unattainable.”

Congressman Keith Self added, “Biden’s new energy efficiency standards will deliver minimal returns while burdening new homeowners with higher home prices. As home prices are hitting an all-time high, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will negatively impact the individuals HUD and USDA aim to serve.”

Craig Toalson, Chief Executive Officer of Home Builders Association of Virginia said, “Virginia home builders commend Rep. Cline for opposing the mandatory adoption of the 2021 IECC by HUD and USDA, which would exacerbate the housing affordability crisis by significantly raising housing costs while doing very little to provide meaningful energy savings to home buyers. Rep. Cline believes that HUD and USDA should assist vulnerable home buyers and renters, not price them out of the market. By standing up for housing, he is sending a strong message that this ill-conceived codes policy will deter new construction at a time when increasing the housing supply is crucial to lowering shelter inflation costs.”

Carl Harris, Chairman of National Association of Home Builders said, “NAHB applauds Rep. Cline for working tirelessly to help ease the nation’s housing affordability crisis by opposing recent actions by HUD and USDA to mandate using costly and restrictive 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for insuring mortgages for new single-family homes. This mandate will do little to curb overall energy use but will hurt our most vulnerable house hunters and renters. By fighting against unreasonable regulatory mandates that increase housing costs, Rep. Cline is leading efforts to address ongoing housing affordability concerns that will enable more hardworking American families to achieve homeownership or access suitable rental housing.”

Cosigners include Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Randy Weber (TX-14), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Jim Baird (IN-04), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Mary Miller (IL-15), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Dan Meuser (PA-9), Chip Roy (TX-21), Tim Walberg (MI-5), Greg Pence (IN-06), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Keith Self (TX-03), Jake LaTurner(KS -02).