Podcast: NAHB Legal Expert Discusses Huge Supreme Court Case on Impact Fees
On the latest episode of the NAHB podcast Housing Developments, hosts CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez welcome Tom Ward, NAHB vice president of legal advocacy, to discuss a huge case argued yesterday at the U.S. Supreme Court on impact fees charged to home builders, home owners and developers.
The group also discusses the latest on Capitol Hill, including potential moves to avert a government shutdown.
Watch the latest episode below and subscribe to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast provider.
Latest from NAHBNow
According to NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index, nearly a quarter of remodelers started an ADU project over the past twelve months; 24% indicated that they were building an addition for use as an ADU and 23% indicated that they were converting an existing space into an ADU.
The NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) always features leading experts and luminaries from the housing and real estate industry. The sheer size of the event also attracts talent from other walks of life.
Latest Economic News
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.
Private fixed investment in student dormitories rose 2.6% in the third quarter of 2026, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.8 billion. This gain marked a second consecutive quarterly increase, despite continued pressures from elevated interest rates. On a year-over-year basis, investments in dorms increased 1.1%.