Podcast: WOTUS Decision, Good Housing Data and Politics
In the latest episode of NAHB's podcast, Housing Developments, co-hosts CEO Jim Tobin and SVP of Communications Paul Lopez discuss the importance of yesterday's Supreme Court decision rescinding key parts of the Biden Administration's Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.
The pair also talk about some recent positive data for the housing and home building industry and the political landscape now that the Republican presidential nominee field is rapidly growing.
Listen to Housing Developments wherever you get your podcasts or watch a video of the full episode below.
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The number of open positions in the construction sector increased in September per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.
Private residential construction spending decreased in September 2026 driven by a steep decline in improvement (remodeling) spending. According to the latest construction spending data from the U.S. Census Bureau, private residential construction spending came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $848.8 billion in September, down 5.5% from the revised August estimates and lower by 8.9% from last year.
Interior finishes (drywall, interior doors, painting, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, flooring, etc.) take more time to complete—6.4 weeks, on average—than any other major stage of single-family construction, according to results from the latest NAHB/Well Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey.