Podcast: NAHB Chairman Weighs In on SOTU, Goals for 2024
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.
Latest from NAHBNow
Sustainability and Green Building
May 12, 2026
3 Reasons to Build to the National Green Building StandardThe new edition of the National Green Building Standard focuses on building for the future by addressing these real-world challenges through sustainable building practices. Here are three benefits to building your next residential project to the NGBS.
Economics
May 11, 2026
U.S. Economy Adds 115,000 Jobs in AprilThe U.S. labor market continued to show resilience in April, with job growth persisting despite elevated interest rates and rising geopolitical uncertainty related to the Iran conflict. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%.
Latest Economic News
Economics
May 12, 2026
Inflation Outpaced Wage Growth in AprilInflation accelerated to a nearly three-year high in April, driven by continued increases in energy costs from the Iran war. Energy costs drove more than 40% of the monthly increase, with national gasoline prices soaring above $4.50 in early May for the first time since July 2022.
Economics
May 12, 2026
Consumer Credit Accelerated in Q1 2026In the first quarter of 2026, consumer credit grew at a slightly faster pace than in years prior amid positive yet sluggish economic growth and rising inflation pressure. According to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report, total outstanding U.S. consumer credit reached $5.14 trillion in the first quarter of 2026.
Economics
May 11, 2026
Existing Home Sales Edged Up Slightly in AprilExisting home sales edged up in April after reaching a nine-month low in March, but sales remained at historically low levels. Elevated mortgage rates and reignited inflation driven by the Iran war continued to weigh on affordability as economic uncertainty pushed up long-term rates, while rising energy costs strained household budgets.