NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke Named Florida Builder of the Year
NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke received the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) Builder of the Year Award on Oct. 29, during the association’s Fall Leadership Conference in Sarasota, Fla.
The FHBA Builder of the Year Award recognizes “a leader in the industry who continuously exhibits best practices, phenomenal leadership qualities, and expertise in the field.”
“For 40 years Chuck Fowke has crafted a legacy of building luxury homes in the Tampa Bay area and has spent more than half of that time giving selflessly to serve our association,” said FHBA CEO Rusty Payton. “Florida’s building industry has been fortunate to have his leadership and guidance advocating on their behalf from the halls in Tallahassee to [Capitol] Hill in Washington. He is absolutely deserving of this distinction and honor.”
Fowke, a Tampa-based custom home builder, is founder and president of Homes by John C. Fowke Inc. He was inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame in 2019.
Latest from NAHBNow
Codes and Standards
Feb 06, 2026
Learn About the 2024 IECC in Free Video Series for NAHB MembersNAHB is now offering members a free educational video series on the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. The videos break down key differences between the 2024 IECC and past editions, focusing on changes that improve usability and what they mean for construction costs.
Advocacy
Feb 05, 2026
NAHB Senior Officers Bring a Housing Agenda to Capitol HillAddressing a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues with serious repercussions for the nation’s supply of affordably priced housing, NAHB First Vice Chairman Bill Owens and Second Vice Chairman Bob Peterson met with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to pursue a strong national agenda for housing.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 05, 2026
Job Openings Fall as Labor Market WeakensRunning counter to the data for the full economy, the count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry increased in December, per the delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.
Economics
Feb 04, 2026
Mortgage Rates Declined Despite Higher Treasury YieldsLong-term mortgage rates continued to decline in January. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.10% last month, 9 basis points (bps) lower than December. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate declined 4 bps to 5.44%. Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is lower by 86 bps. The 15-year rate is also lower by 72 bps.
Economics
Feb 03, 2026
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.7%The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.7% in the last quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly increase, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated, and housing supply still tight, housing affordability is at a multidecade low.