As of October 1, Congress did not approve funding for government operations, triggering a federal government shutdown. While some federal services remain open, others—including key housing and mortgage programs—are now slowed or suspended. How long the shutdown will last is still unknown.
Federal agencies have put contingency plans in place, and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is reviewing those plans and tracking what this means for real estate professionals and consumers. NAR’s memo, What a Government Shutdown Means for REALTORS®, will be updated regularly with the latest details. We encourage you to bookmark this webpage to stay on top of government shutdown news from NAR. 
Minnesota Realtors® will keep you informed with updates by email and on our website as they become available.
Key Areas NAR Is Monitoring:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Rural Housing Programs
- Veterans Affairs
- Small Business Administration
- Visa Programs
Why It Matters for Housing:
A prolonged shutdown has ripple effects on the housing market, which makes up nearly 20% of the U.S. economy. Common disruptions include:
- Delays in IRS income verification
- Slowdowns in FHA and VA loan processing
- Funding interruptions for federal housing programs
- Suspension of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies
What NAR Is Doing:
- Launching a coordinated advocacy campaign through its Federal Political Coordinators
- Pressing Congress to reauthorize NFIP immediately and end the shutdown