Podcast: NAHB Puts a Spotlight on Housing in the Media and on the Hill
On the latest episode of the NAHB podcast, Housing Developments, hosts CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are on the road as they discuss housing and economics with key press outlets in New York City. Media are eager to hear what NAHB members are seeing in the housing market. Topics of note include the latest release of the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), as well as the challenges in the housing market, such as high mortgage rates, housing affordability and shortage of skilled workers.
NAHB is getting the message out to legislators as well, as first Vice Chairman Carl Harris and Second Vice Chair Buddy Hughes headed to Capitol Hill this week to urge congressional leaders to address the challenges facing home builders.
NAHB continues to gear up for the International Builders’ Show, taking place Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas — less than two weeks away.
Listen to the latest episode below and subscribe to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast provider.
Latest from NAHBNow
NAHB worked with Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) on legislation aimed at lowering housing costs by establishing a tariff exemption process for building materials. The Housing Tariff Exclusion Act (H.R. 10416) would automatically exempt many home building materials from President Trump’s current and future tariffs and give importers a process to seek exemptions for additional materials.
Facing persistent inflationary pressures, the Federal Reserve unanimously decided at its September policy meeting to raise the federal funds rate to a target range of 3.75% to 4%.
Latest Economic News
Single-family housing starts rebounded in August, but production remains down 4.7% year to date as builders contend with rising construction costs, lot and labor shortages, and economic uncertainty.
The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its September policy meeting, bringing the target range to 3.75% to 4%.
Higher mortgage rates, worsening labor shortages and rising material costs are weighing on builder sentiment.