Podcast: NAHB Chairman Weighs In on SOTU, Goals for 2024

Membership
Published

On the latest episode of the NAHB podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by 2024 NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, who was in Washington, D.C., to attend the State of the Union (SOTU) address following an immensely successful International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

The State of the Union focused on the president’s commitment to housing, including the administration’s goal of building and preserving an additional 2 million homes. NAHB is seeking to work with officials and stakeholders across the board to advance the cause of housing and increase the nation’s housing supply, especially at the regulatory level, to create long-term solutions to the housing affordability crisis.

“I’d like to get more houses built,” Harris agreed as a key goal for 2024. “That seems to be the big deal, and whatever we can do to encourage our members to have the confidence that things are going to start turning around, that we’re going to see some lower interest rates, that we’re going to see some more favorable things that are occurring out there in our industry.”

Within NAHB, Harris also plans to continue leadership development efforts and outreach to local HBAs to help strengthen the Federation.

Listen to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast provider or watch the episodes on YouTube.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

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

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics | Advocacy

Feb 05, 2026

3 Major Factors Limiting American Construction Productivity

A recent Goldman Sachs report explores why the U.S. construction industry has underproduced compared to other countries’ construction industries. Between 1970 and 2024, productivity in the U.S. construction industry fell 30% while overall labor productivity more than doubled.

Advocacy

Feb 05, 2026

NAHB’s Monthly Update Highlights Housing Priorities and Industry Outlook

To help members articulate key housing priorities, NAHB’s Monthly Update provides the latest messaging framework for the Federation. See the current advocacy updates and more.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Feb 05, 2026

Job Openings Fall as Labor Market Weakens

Running counter to the data for the full economy, the count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry increased in December, per the delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.

Economics

Feb 04, 2026

Mortgage Rates Declined Despite Higher Treasury Yields

Long-term mortgage rates continued to decline in January. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.10% last month, 9 basis points (bps) lower than December. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate declined 4 bps to 5.44%. Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is lower by 86 bps. The 15-year rate is also lower by 72 bps.

Economics

Feb 03, 2026

Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.7%

The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.7% in the last quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly increase, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated, and housing supply still tight, housing affordability is at a multidecade low.