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.
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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.