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
Mar 04, 2026
Top Markets for Remodeling in 2024Residential improvement activity remained solid in 2024, supported by an aging housing stock, elevated homeowner equity, and a growing need for aging-in-place improvements. Based on NAHB analysis of data from home improvement loan applications, see which markets saw the most remodeling activity.
Mar 04, 2026
NAHB's Monthly Update Highlights Advocacy PrioritiesThe talking points this month feature news related to President Trump’s tariffs and NAHB’s 2026 economic outlook.
Latest Economic News
Mar 03, 2026
Multifamily Absorption Rate Remains Below 50%The percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion was unchanged for new units completed in the second quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).
Mar 02, 2026
Private Residential Construction Spending Edges Higher in DecemberPrivate residential construction spending was up 1.5% for the last month of 2025. This modest gain was driven primarily by increased spending on home improvements and single-family construction. Despite this increase, total spending remained 1.3% lower than a year ago, reflecting the continued impact of housing affordability challenges facing the sector.
Mar 02, 2026
2024 Home Improvement Loan Applications: A State- and County-Level AnalysisResidential improvement activity remained solid in 2024, though growth has moderated from the surge seen in 2022.