Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative John James (MI-10) announced that he has proposed a new law, the Path to Affordable Homes Act. This critical legislation will cut red tape that adds thousands to the cost of new homes in Michigan and across the country. It reigns in bureaucrats who have been using unclear and costly “green” building codes to drive up costs and limit families’ choices.

Under current law, the Department of Energy (DOE) reviews updates to national model energy codes. If the DOE determines that a new edition “improves energy efficiency,” states are required to review and consider adopting the updated code. During the Biden Administration, the DOE acted as a rubber stamp for the “Rush to Green Agenda,” blessing every new “green” code revision and tying federal grant dollars to more extreme “stretch codes” that go far beyond what is reasonable or affordable for working families.

According to the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association of Michigan, regulatory costs now add roughly $94,000 to the price of a new home in Michigan, with $24,000 of that total coming directly from building code changes over the past decade. Currently, the median price of a new home in 2025 is $448,520. At current costs, more than 78% of Michigan households are priced out of the market. 

Rep. James issued the following statement regarding his legislation:

“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.”

Specifically, the bill:

• Reins in DOE and restore balance to how building codes are evaluated and adopted. It requires DOE to ensure that every future code revision meets five common sense criteria:

1. Cost-effectiveness: Does it make financial sense for homeowners and builders?
2. Direct relation to energy efficiency: Does it save energy, or just add cost?
3. Technological feasibility: Are the required materials and methods commercially available and practical?\
4. Reliability: Ensures that any new code changes do not harm the reliability or stability of the electric grid.
5. Neutrality: Guarantees that federal policy does not favor intermittent or unreliable energy sources that drive up costs, or restrict access to reliable, clean fuels like natural gas.

• By applying these standards, the bill stops DOE from serving as a rubber stamp for “green” mandates that raise housing costs and limit consumer choice.

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