A letter to President Donald Trump signed by 19 U.S. Democratic senators shared their concerns about how tariffs are increasing housing costs and asked the president to “refocus your attention on policies that will address our nation’s housing crisis — not exacerbate it.” 

The letter, led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), said although the president vowed to address the country’s housing crisis, his “reckless trade policies” will make the problem worse.

“Your recent announcement of sweeping tariffs — and the subsequent, ongoing responses of our trading partners and your repeated waffling on your plans for tariff implementation — have created significant confusion in the housing sector,” they wrote. “What is clear, however, is that your tariffs on aluminum, steel, appliances, and other materials will ‘undoubtedly’ raise the cost of constructing new homes — by at least $7,500 to $10,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Analysts also predict that your tariffs will drive up home insurance premiums by ‘making repairs more expensive,’ harming renters and homeowners alike.”

The senators also claimed the economic uncertainty created by the tariffs are “putting pressure on interest rates, which will increase the cost of homebuilding even more while raising mortgage rates for families looking to buy a home.” 

“In early April, mortgage rates surged to their highest level in more than a month amid your various tariff announcements. If China retaliates against your tariffs by selling off U.S. Treasury bonds or U.S. mortgage-backed securities, that could also result in higher costs,” the senators wrote.

“We demand that you reverse course and refocus your attention on economic policies that will truly benefit the American public, including efforts to address our housing crisis.”