MBA calls for policy changes to lower housing costs

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is calling for a series of administrative and regulatory changes aimed at reducing mortgage closing costs, expanding access to credit and lowering the cost of building rental housing. The trade group released its policy road map, “Affordability in Action: A Policy Roadmap to Lower the Cost of Owning and Renting a Home,” at its 2026 Annual Convention and Expo last week. The report outlines changes that policymakers and regulators could implement in the near term without major legislative overhauls. MBA’s paper states that housing affordability challenges stem not only from supply-and-demand imbalances but also from outdated rules, redundant paperwork and regulatory requirements that add costs without necessarily improving the safety of the housing finance system. “MBA and its members are continuously working with policymakers to advance solutions that lower housing costs. This paper builds on that advocacy by laying out focused steps policymakers can take now,” MBA president and CEO Bob Broeksmit said in a statement. “These recommendations would reduce unnecessary costs, expand access to responsible credit, support the development of more housi...