NAHB Awards HBAs $150K to Support Advocacy Efforts
This post has been updated.
During the 2025 Spring Leadership Meeting, the NAHB State and Local Government Affairs Committee awarded nine HBAs with financial assistance through the State and Local Fund (SLIF) to help with advocacy efforts on issues affecting housing affordability. The HBAs were awarded a total of $150,000 toward their efforts.
Prevailing Wage Laws
In Nevada, there is an increased legislative interest in applying prevailing wage requirements to residential developments that receive public support, which could jeopardize housing affordability. The Southern Nevada HBA (Las Vegas) will use SLIF to support an advocacy campaign to ensure residential construction projects are not subject to prevailing wage classifications. The New York State Builders Association is facing a similar challenge and was also awarded SLIF funding.
Land Use and Zoning
Washington state requires counties and municipalities to complete a comprehensive land use plan every 10 years. SLIF will help the HBA of Spokane (Wash.) offset the cost of conducting a land capacity analysis to show the impact of restrictive environmental regulation on housing attainability.
Chesterfield County in central Virginia is undergoing its first comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite since the 1970s. The modernization effort is encountering significant community resistance due to several misconceptions. The HBA of Richmond (Va.) will use SLIF to support a consumer education campaign about zoning and housing attainability.
Environment/Water/Energy
San Luis Obispo is considering implementing a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) policy in the county. VMT implementation could delay the permitting process and increase the cost of land. SLIF will help the HBA of the Central Coast (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) conduct an economic impact study of a VMT policy to share with local elected officials.
The Southwest Montana BIA (Bozeman, Mont.) is fighting against a ballot initiative that would require all new housing developments to secure physical water rights before approval, which would eliminate the current cities system that allows developers to pay cash-in-lieu for water when appropriate. The measure would limit the city's ability to acquire future water rights and would hamper its long-term water security strategy. SLIF would help the association work with a firm to oppose the ballot initiative.
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Illinois is working with industry, labor and legal stakeholders to protect energy choices for consumers. SLIF will help the HBA continue to fight ‘ban on gas’ movements at the city or state level.
Public Awareness Campaigns
The BA of North Central Indiana (Warsaw, Ind.) is launching a public education campaign to raise the visibility of the association and the industry. SLIF will offset the costs of the campaign. HBA of Greater Kansas City (Mo.) was also awarded SLIF funding to lead a similar effort.