NAHB Helps Local HBAs Fight Housing Battles
Roadblocks to housing affordability are in place all across the country. To help HBAs break down the barriers to ensure housing for all, NAHB's State and Local Government Affairs Committee approved financial assistance for associations through the State and Local Issues Fund (SLIF). The funds were approved during NAHB's 2023 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.
The committee approved $60,000 for three state and local HBAs. Fund recipients include the HBA of Virginia, HBA of Georgia and HBA of Greater Portland.
Addressing regulatory agency staffing and budget constraints
The members of the HBA of Virginia are looking to receive permits in a timely manner for wetland and stream mitigation banks. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch, Norfolk District has lost several employees essential to the permit process. The funds will be used for consultants to lobby Congress to address the staffing shortages and build relationships to secure funding for the regulatory branch. The HBA will be putting resources towards this project as well.
Housing affordability legislation
The HBA of Georgia is fighting local government ordinances that have placed roadblocks on the home building industry. For example, tree ordinances, design mandates, rental restrictions, zoning conditions, high permit costs, and delays in review or inspections have increased the cost of housing.
To address these issues, the HBA of Georgia has built a coalition of stakeholders to take this fight to the state level and pass legislation that can effectively address these concerns. The funding will supplement the HBAs investment towards a public relations campaign to educate consumers on the potential legislation.
Capital Gains Tax Increase
The County of Multnomah in Oregon is working on a ballot measure for the 2023 elections that would tax any capital gain made in the county by .75%. The funds will help provide free legal services to community members facing eviction by their landlords.
The HBA of Portland says the county currently has the second-highest marginal tax rate in the country, and further, the tax will affect building in the community. Builders nationally make up to seven percent net profit on their projects, and such taxes on top can jeopardize future development in the communities. The funds will help the HBA build a diverse coalition and voter education campaign against the tax.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jul 18, 2025
Single-Family Starts Weaken in June as Affordability Challenges PersistDue to a solid increase in multifamily production, overall housing starts increased 4.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Jul 17, 2025
Stay on Top of Wood Framing Safety PoliciesWood framing is an integral part of the home building process, and one job that many general contractors take on themselves. But even with familiarity of the task, specific safety precautions should be followed during framing.
Latest Economic News
Jul 18, 2025
Single-Family Starts Weaken in June as Affordability Challenges PersistSingle-family housing starts declined in June to the lowest rate since July 2024 as elevated interest rates, rising inventories and ongoing supply-side issues continue to act as headwinds for the housing sector.
Jul 17, 2025
Builder Confidence Edges Up in JulyBuilder confidence for future sales expectations received a slight boost in July with the extension of the 2017 tax cuts, but elevated interest rates and economic and policy uncertainty continue to act as headwinds for the housing sector.
Jul 16, 2025
Producer Prices for Metals and Equipment Show Large IncreasesResidential building material prices rose in June, driven primarily by higher construction machinery and equipment part prices. Metal commodities also experienced significant increases, following recently implemented tariffs on steel and aluminum. Meanwhile, price growth for services used in construction continues to outpace both domestic and imported goods.