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.
Latest from NAHBNow
The Northeast Florida Builders Association debuted its new 43,000-square-foot Workforce Education Center and headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 13.
Michael Fazio, executive director of the New York State Builders Association, told Congress today that energy mandates are driving up construction costs and deepening the housing affordability crisis.
Latest Economic News
U.S. house prices continued to rise in the second quarter of 2026, with most states and metropolitan areas recording annual gains. Elevated borrowing costs and affordability constraints remained important headwinds, while limited housing supply continued to support prices in many markets, particularly across parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
The number of open positions in the construction sector increased in July 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.
Home building trends diverged across geographies in the second quarter of 2026. According to the Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), single-family construction declined in nearly all geographic categories, although the contraction eased in most markets from the first quarter.