Podcast: Biden Administration Is Making it Harder to Finance Homes

Housing Finance
Published
Contact: Reaganne Hansford
[email protected]
AVP, Leadership Strategy
202-266-8450

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.

Housing Developments Podcast Sponsored by LG Pro Builder

Subscribe to NAHBNow

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

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Business Management

Mar 17, 2026

New Title from NAHB’s BuilderBooks Offers Advice on Using AI in Residential Construction

BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a new title, AI in Residential Construction: A Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Success.

Workforce Development | Labor

Mar 16, 2026

DOL to Enforce States’ Compliance with Registered Apprenticeship Program

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released guidance requiring states to harmonize their laws, regulations and practices with federal rules concerning the administration of the National Apprenticeship System (NAS).

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Mar 17, 2026

Lumber Imports and Employment Fall

U.S. sawmill production was unchanged in the third quarter according to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report. Utilization rates for sawmills and wood preservation industries remained near 70% despite a weakened demand environment from lower levels of residential construction in the third quarter of 2025.

Economics

Mar 17, 2026

Best Year for Missing Middle Construction Since 2007

While not a huge jump, 2025 featured the highest construction volume for multifamily missing middle housing starts.

Economics

Mar 16, 2026

Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Affordability Concerns Persist

Builder sentiment inched up in March even as builders continue to express affordability concerns stemming from elevated construction costs and shortages of buildable lots and labor.