Creating a Federation and Industry Built for the Future

Uncertainty is one of the few guarantees right now for those of us in the residential construction industry. Regulations, rising material costs, and skilled labor shortages are stalling projects, straining budgets, and creating barriers to housing production. As an industry professional, you’ve likely experienced these complex issues firsthand.

I believe that NAHB must remain relevant, representative, and responsive to shape the future of the industry. We can and must do that together.

This is a critical time to prepare for the future rather than simply conducting business as usual. As the association gets closer to its centennial, NAHB has launched the Blueprint to 100, a forward-looking initiative to build a stronger, more responsive association. The Blueprint to 100 paves the way for reimagining member value, tools, and industry support.

The initiative is an overhaul in areas where we can modernize our association rather than continuously deploy incremental fixes. It’s a tall order, but it is necessary. We need to take a fresh approach to advance this bold, forward-looking effort. I want NAHB to be the place where every builder, remodeler, supplier, and industry professional feels represented and heard. NAHB must evolve and improve if it is to remain the leader of the residential construction industry. For this to work, we must take into consideration ideas and concerns from all housing professionals.

The first step in the Blueprint to 100 is the Industry Pulse Check, the largest listening initiative undertaken by NAHB to gather real-world insights from builders, remodelers, and other industry professionals. This is about bringing everyone to the table to draft the blueprint of our future.

You don't have to be an NAHB member to take the survey and affect the industry.

Your honest perspective on what the housing industry needs and what a trade association should do for professionals like you is genuinely valuable to us. What's working? What needs improvement? What will help your business overcome the uncertainty you're facing every day? How can NAHB evolve into an association that your business depends on? Your responses will directly shape the priorities we set for the years ahead.

Pulse Check feedback will be incorporated to help modernize our bylaws, creating a more inclusive membership, and shaping our next strategic plan. The initiative will directly influence how effectively NAHB can advocate for the industry and support state and local issues. The goal is to create an industry where your business can thrive. Your bottom line is our priority.

NAHB needs real change to make that happen. We’ve been comfortable with small changes and adaptations for far too long.

As a thank-you, every industry professional who completes the Industry Pulse Check can choose to be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card or a trip to the 2027 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas, Feb. 2-4, 2027 (read the official rules at blueprint.nahb.org).

I recognize the scale of what I’m proposing, and know it’s likely a multi-year process to do it right. But I believe it’s necessary. NAHB has played a central role in this industry for decades, and Blueprint to 100 will guide its success for the next century.

Whether you’re a member or an industry professional who hasn’t joined yet, this is your chance for a seat at the table. I encourage you to explore the Blueprint to 100 and take the Industry Pulse Check by June 15 at blueprint.nahb.org.

W2W4:

• Home Builders Institute: NAHB’s nonprofit workforce development partner, the Home Builders Institute (HBI), is the nation’s leading educational resource for career technical education in home building. HBI provides its students with the skills and experience they need to enjoy successful careers in residential construction. With an 80% job placement rate for graduates, HBI training programs are taught in local communities across the country to youth, veterans, displaced workers, and other underserved populations.
• Mental Health Resources: Construction workers are particularly susceptible to mental health issues and suicide, which is a silent killer in construction. The most common mental health problems are anxiety and depression, although other disorders like misuse of drugs and alcohol can also be considered a mental health issue. NAHB has extensive mental health resources on its website, including mental health awareness videos and a handout, both in English and Spanish.