The White House is drafting an executive order on housing affordability that is expected to allow Americans to tap their 401(k) retirement and 529 college savings accounts to help cover home down payments, while also moving to ban large investment firms from purchasing single-family homes. Some elements would require congressional action, and the proposal has already drawn partisan crossfire, with Senate Democrats noting similar investor restrictions were previously blocked by Republicans, even as GOP populists such as Sen. Hawley (R-MO) back expanded use of retirement funds for homeownership.
