NAHB Confronts Challenges Facing Home Builders in 2026
Builders often see the ripple effects of policy decisions that shape the homes we build, the communities we create, and the options available to buyers. Workforce development, evolving codes, new regulations, and more are often treated as separate policy areas. But home builders know they all are connected and heavily influence what they can produce and what buyers can afford.
In my new role as 2026 chairman of the board of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), I’m focused on making sure the home building community is represented when housing policy decisions are made.
After joining NAHB early in my career and guiding a remodeling business for more than 40 years, it’s a privilege to now support the industry that built me. I’m committed to its success, but so much of that success depends on the laws and regulations that impact our work.
That’s where NAHB plays such a critical role. With extensive policy expertise and a team that acts quickly when our interests are on the line, NAHB ensures the home building industry has a strong national voice.
NAHB’s scale allows its experts to advocate for pro‑housing policies when decisions are made on Capitol Hill, in the federal agencies, and in the courts. We strive for a policy environment where residential construction companies can thrive.
As we move through 2026, several key issues are already rising to the top.
Workforce Developmemnt
Replenishing the pool of skilled workers remains one of the most pressing challenges nationally, especially with nearly 300,000 construction openings each month.
NAHB secured a major win earlier this year by protecting the Job Corps program after months of attempts to strip its funding and weaken training programs like the Home Builders Institute. We are now focused on securing long-term funding to keep Job Corps in the stable position we helped achieve for 2026.
NAHB also prioritized passage of the DIGNITY Act, a bipartisan effort to strengthen the residential construction workforce through immigration reform. Since announcing its support in 2025, NAHB has helped secure additional bipartisan cosponsors and popularize the legislation on the Hill.
Taxes and Jobsite Safety
Meanwhile, easily overlooked items often have the largest impact on affordability. NAHB has prioritized tax adjustments to support entry-level buyers and stimulate the supply of attainable homes. We supported the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivered meaningful tax benefits for builders and buyers. Now, it’s time to build on the momentum to create more affordable housing nationwide.
In the jobsite safety arena, NAHB is actively monitoring next steps to the OSHA Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rulemaking, a proposal we opposed last fall that puts excessive regulations on builders. Its intentions are good, but it will disproportionally impact smaller companies and hinder their ability to build new homes.
Building & Energy Codes
On the codes front, a March court win in a case brought by NAHB and 15 states prevented federal mandates for adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. This ruling for new energy efficiency standards would have added between $9,600 and $21,400 to the price of a new home.
NAHB has also prioritized fixing code hurdles that drive up costs for multifamily projects. At the state and local level, we’re pushing for practical updates that make “missing middle” housing more affordable to build and attainable for families. These are just a few of the dozens of issues our advocacy experts are working on this year.
Join Us on the Hill
NAHB members can see our impact first hand during NAHB’s annual Legislative Conference, a unique opportunity for builders, remodelers and associates to meet directly with their elected officials on Capitol Hill.
In 2025, more than 1,000 NAHB members held 250 meetings with their representatives and senators, urging them to act on issues with immediate effects for housing affordability.
This year, I encourage you to join your fellow members on June 10 as we return to Capitol Hill to make our voices heard. Registration is required and will open in April.
From the national level to your local home builders’ association, how we respond to the policy ideas taking shape now will determine the industry’s future success. The challenges we face demand that we stay engaged this year and in the years ahead. NAHB advocacy makes a real difference, and I’m excited about our future.
W2W4
- Home Innovation Research Labs helps its clients in the residential construction industry improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. From its origins as a small product testing laboratory, it has grown to become a full-service market research, consulting, product testing, and accredited third-party certification agency dedicated solely to issues related to the home building industry. Home Innovation Research Labs is the certifying agency for the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, the only residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. Founded in 1964, Home Innovation Research Labs is an independent subsidiary of NAHB. homeinnovation.com.
- Spring is the traditional beginning of the home buying season, and April is New Homes Month. This is a great time to remind potential home buyers of the quality construction and exciting amenities found in today’s new homes. NAHB offers a broad range of resources to promote New Homes Month, including customizable ads and social media content. Members can find these materials at nahb.org. Home Builders and other housing industry professionals can use these resources to promote New Homes month and drive traffic to their show homes.
About the Author
Bill Owens, 2026 NAHB Chairman
Bill Owens is the 2026 chairman of the board of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the first full-time remodeler to hold that position. He is principal of Owens Construction, a leading residential design/build firm in central Ohio established in 1982.