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
Economics
Jun 02, 2026
Economic Uncertainty Slows Single-Family Construction Across All GeographiesSingle-family home construction declined across all geographic regions in the first quarter of 2026 due to economic uncertainty, high material costs and elevated interest rates, while multifamily construction showed growth in most areas, according to the latest findings from the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).
Safety
Jun 01, 2026
Focus on Jobsite Plans During National Safety MonthJoin NAHB and its official safety sponsor, Builders Mutual, in recognizing June as National Safety Month, an annual observance to promote hazard awareness in residential construction and to help keep workers safe.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jun 02, 2026
Slight Increase for Construction Job OpeningsThe number of open positions in the construction sector edged higher in April, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
Economics
Jun 02, 2026
HBGI Q1 2026: Single-Family Construction Slips Across All GeographiesSingle-family construction declined across all geographies in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), as elevated interest rates, rising material costs, and labor shortages slowed home building activities at the start of the year. Meanwhile, multifamily construction remained broadly resilient, posting growth in most markets.
Economics
Jun 01, 2026
Private Residential Construction Spending Increases in AprilPrivate residential construction spending was up 0.8% in April 2026, following the monthly gain of 0.6% in March. This increase was largely driven by gains in single-family, and home improvement spending. Moreover, total private residential construction spending was 1.7% higher than a year ago.