The State Affairs Newsletter
Welcome to The State Affairs’ first newsletter of 2025. In this edition, we look back on the big wins of 2024 and hear updates from Executive Officers on some of their most impactful projects. We continue to strive to create an interactive experience, so please reach out and let us know how you like the issue and how we can improve.
Taking a Stand Against NIMBYs
Karl Eckhart, VP of State & Local Government Affairs, penned a column about the pervasiveness of Not in My Backyard (NIMBYs) constituents across the country. He offers some pointed advice for HBAs and NAHB members who are dealing with NIMBY’s in their communities. Read more.
Around the Capitals
In 2024, HBA staff accomplished incredible feats, from fighting against impact fees to securing more funding for housing. Despite the legislative and regulatory roadblocks, many associations emerged victoriously, working with state and local governments to appropriate significant investments toward safe and attainable housing. The state and local team complied the notable wins across the country. Read more.
How to Defeat a Drastic Ballot Measure
Brittney Roehrich, Chief Executive Officer of the North Dakota HBA, discusses how her association faced a ballot measure that would have made North Dakota the first state to eliminate property taxes. She provides insights on the association’s strategy that led to the measure’s defeat and offers advice for HBAs dealing with ballot issues that jeopardize housing affordability. Read more.
NAHB Funding Enhances a Local HBA Government Affairs Program
Chad Lawler, EO of the Madison Area Builders Association (MABA), said his association needed to create an actionable strategy to take their government affairs outreach from “good to great.” MABA leaders applied for and received support from NAHB’s State and Local Issues Fund to reinvigorate the association’s advocacy efforts. “It’s worth the effort and the cost to ensure you’re using your resources at its highest efficiency and effectiveness,” said Lawler. Read more.
HBA Highlights
Indiana Builders Association CEO Rick Wajda and Governmental Affairs Director Carlie Hopper posed with Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) at the end of last year. Rep. Houchin assumed the office of Secretary of the House Republican Conference in 2025.
BUILD-PAC Trustee Heath VanNatter with Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) at the end of 2024.
2025 Florida HBA President Ryan Benson participated in a panel discussion at the National Association of Counties 2024 Annual Conference about advancing housing affordability through innovation.
Members convene at the annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) in Anaheim, Calif. in June of 2024 to discuss residential construction.
NAHB Chairman Carl Harris (pictured right) meets with California BIA members during PCBC to discuss housing priorities and offer NAHB support.
Access the Newsletter
Download the latest edition of The State Affairs
