Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: 1. Executive order targeting CDFI Fund looms over D.C.-area community lenders 2. Interior, HUD to offer federal lands to build affordable housing 3. Construction costs are an X-factor in real estate. Tariffs are entering the equation. 4. How Trump is providing an unexpected boost to the housing market 5. Youngkin kicks off bill signings with economic development. 

Executive order targeting CDFI Fund looms over D.C.-area community lenders 

By ANA LUCIA MURILLO, Washington Business Journal 

A new executive order from President Donald Trump aims to slash the activities of the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, a government corporation that spurs investment in low-income communities that have historically been excluded from traditional financial systems. 

Interior, HUD to offer federal lands to build affordable housing 

By HEATHER RICHARDS, E&E News 

The Interior Department will work with the Department of Housing and Urban Department on determining which federal land can be tapped for affordable housing, the agencies’ two leaders said over the weekend. In an op-ed that ran Sunday in the Wall Street Journal, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and HUD Secretary Scott Turner said the nation’s vast public lands should be part of solving the nation’s housing crisis. 

Construction costs are an X-factor in real estate. Tariffs are entering the equation. 

By ASHLEY FAHEY, Washington Business Journal  

Anticipation of price hikes because of newly imposed tariffs has already resulted in cost increases for materials commonly used in construction. 

How Trump is providing an unexpected boost to the housing market 

By SAM SUTTON and KATY O’DONNELL, Politico 

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have been sliding below 7 percent over the last several weeks, a reflection of plunging economic sentiment that’s roiled Wall Street and scrambled investment plans. Applications for new mortgages shot up by more than 11 percent during the first week of March — a 31 percent improvement over the same period last year and just in time for the housing market’s spring buying season. Refinancings have surged from historic lows as homeowners capitalize on lower borrowing costs. 

Youngkin kicks off bill signings with economic development  

By JAHD KHALIL, VPM  

Gov. Glenn Youngkin began rolling out his actions on this year’s statehouse legislation with signatures on economic development bills, combining the announcement with messaging aimed at those concerned with threats to jobs posed by changes by the federal government. ... Youngkin said he signed 180 bills including legislation that would provide funding for a semiconductor project in Manassas, a battery separator company in Danville and legislation that broadens the availability of economic development funding.