Podcast: Biden Administration Is Making it Harder to Finance Homes
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD) was busy last week, publishing two new determinations that increase the requirements for borrowers to use federal mortgage programs when purchasing new homes.
On the latest episode of the NAHB podcast Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez welcome to the program Jessica Lynch, VP of Housing Finance, to discuss the new rules.
First, Lynch explains the new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard from HUD that will require a complicated, three-tiered process for determining the extent of the floodplain, with a preference for a climate-informed science approach, for owners of new homes to qualify for FHA mortgage insurance.
Lynch then discusses the recent move by HUD to require all new homes purchased under certain mortgage program to be built to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), regardless of whether a state or jurisdiction has adopted that version of the IECC.
Watch the full episode below and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
Mar 23, 2026
Best Year for Multifamily Missing Middle Construction Since 2007Although not a huge jump, 2025 featured the highest construction volume for multifamily missing middle housing starts since 2007. However, this subsector continues to underperform relative to its potential, due in part to zoning restrictions.
Mar 23, 2026
Roofing Safety in Home Building Starts at the TopRoofing is an inherently dangerous job, with workers exposed to the elements at height on a pitched surface with few natural barriers. Due to this reality, it’s also the job with the most safety resources and products.
Latest Economic News
Mar 24, 2026
Almost Half of the Owner-Occupied Homes Built Before 1980Around 47% of the U.S. housing stock was built in the 1980s and earlier. The median age of owner-occupied homes climbed to 42 years old in 2024, up from 31 in 2005 according to the latest data from the American Community Survey.
Mar 23, 2026
Comparing New and Resale Prices: 4Q25In the fourth quarter of 2025, the median price for a new single-family home was $405,300, which was $9,600 lower than the median price of an existing home, which stood at $414,900.
Mar 23, 2026
Demolition Activity Slows Down But Remains Above Pre-Pandemic LevelsResidential demolition activity in 2025 declined 0.1% year-over-year but remained above pre-pandemic levels. According to NAHB analysis of data from Construction Monitor, permits pulled for residential demolition have been increasing since 2018, with the exception of 2020, when building-related activities broadly stalled.