Podcast: NAHB Legal Expert Sheds Light on Next Steps for WOTUS

Environment
Published

In the latest episode of NAHB’s Housing Developments podcast, co-hosts CEO Jim Tobin and SVP of Communications Paul Lopez welcome VP of Legal Advocacy Tom Ward to help explain the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision that rescinded key parts of the Biden Administration’s “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.

Ward provides insight into the new test to determine whether a wetland can be regulated under the Clean Water Act, after the Supreme Court rejected the previous significant nexus test. Learn more about the impact of the decision.

Listen to Housing Developments wherever you get your podcasts or watch a video of the full episode below.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics
Nov 05, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Third Quarter

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the third quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 41, down five points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 69, also down five points year-over-year.

Advocacy
Nov 04, 2026
Podcast: What the Blue Wave May Mean for Housing

On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by Chief Advocacy Officer Ken Wingert to discuss the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Mortgage Applications Decline as Higher Rates Boost ARM Share

Mortgage application activity declined in October as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply again. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, fell 14.1% month-over-month in October on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were 39.8% lower.

Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Laundry Room Locations in New Homes and Apartments, 2025

In 2025, the majority of homes started featured laundry connections on the first floor (70%), according to the Census’s Survey of Construction. Laundry located on the second floor or higher was the second most prevalent at 27%. The basement, garage, and other locations all had a 1% or lower share.

Economics
Nov 03, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb in October Amid Accelerating Inflation

Mortgage rates rose sharply again in October as the U.S. treasury yields surged. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.33% in October, up 47 basis points (bps) from September. The rate reached 7.40% in early October, its highest level since 2023, before easing toward the end of the month.