NAHB Chairman’s Message: Let Builders Build

The vision of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is “Building Homes, Enriching Communities and Changing Lives.” This means building homes that are both suitable and affordable for American families. But achieving this vision will require more than just building more homes; it will also require finding ways to remove obstacles to housing attainability.

Governmental overreach at the local, state, and federal levels is a significant hurdle to building more homes. Overly restrictive policies governing building materials, zoning, and energy use have created an imbalance of supply and demand. Uncertainty surrounding tariff policies and interest rates has also created doubt for potential homebuyers. Finally, concerns around funding for workforce training are making the future of home building even more uncertain. In response, NAHB members say to our nation’s leaders: Let Builders Build. 

NAHB is the advocate for the U.S. home building industry. Every June, thousands of NAHB members attend hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers about the major issues facing the industry and to offer assistance in crafting pro-housing legislation.

This year, NAHB members attending the Legislative Conference will share their perspectives on three key areas that affect housing affordability:

Energy Codes 

NAHB is concerned about the growing trend of state and local restrictions on natural gas and natural gas appliances, which not only raise construction costs but could ultimately increase monthly utility bills, pushing homeownership further out of reach for many Americans.

That’s why we’re advocating for the Energy Choice Act, also known as “ban on the ban” legislation. This critical legislation protects homeowners’ right to choose the most affordable and reliable energy sources for their homes in their communities by prohibiting state and local governments from banning or limiting access to natural gas and other energy sources.

In addition to supporting the Energy Choice Act, we’re also focused on pushing back against the HUD/USDA rule to mandate the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for all HUD- and USDA-financed housing. This rule could add as much as $30,000 to the cost of a new home.

RELATED

• NAHB Readies for Fight Over Key Tax Provisions
• NAHB's Plan to Promote Housing Affordability
• NAHB Pushes Back on Federalization of Energy Codes

HUD and USDA’s mission is to support vulnerable homebuyers and renters, yet these new standards may price many of them out of the market, forcing them to purchase older, less-efficient homes. The adoption of these codes could undermine the goal of providing affordable housing options for the nation’s most vulnerable families.

Workforce Development 

In any given month, there is a shortage of more than 200,000 construction workers. Without enough people to build homes, the cost to construct a home is increasing and is exacerbating the housing affordability crisis. NAHB fundamentally supports training in all skilled trades as a path to a lucrative career without the burden of student loan debt. This year, we are asking legislators to support the CONSTRUCTS Act, which would expand grant programs to fund residential construction education at community colleges and technical education schools. 

Tax Policy

If Congress fails to renew the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the nation faces more than $4 trillion in tax increases in 2026. As lawmakers determine the best way to build on the initial success of TCJA to improve the tax code for middle-class Americans and small businesses, NAHB is urging Congress to pass a tax package that modernizes homeownership tax incentives, provides more resources for affordable rental housing, and reduces tax burdens on America’s small businesses.

NAHB is a community of individuals just like you, promoting policies that make it easier for you to build homes and neighborhoods for American families. We’d love for you to join us in realizing our vision of Building Homes, Enriching Communities and Changing Lives. When we work together, we build better, more affordable homes for our customers. To learn more about NAHB membership, or to join us next year at our Legislative Conference, visit nahb.org.