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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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.