As housing affordability challenges persist across the country, the National Association of Home Builders is leading the charge to reduce barriers to new construction, increase labor supply and push for smarter policies at every level of government.
NAHB Chief Advocacy Officer Ken Wingert likens his role to both an “air traffic controller” and an “orchestra conductor,” managing a 40-person team that includes legislative, regulatory, legal and political experts. Together, they are driving coordinated advocacy efforts with a focus on tangible results.
“In the first six months of the new administration, we’ve been focused on legislation to expand workforce training, streamline permitting processes, allow for more consumer choice in energy and restrict agencies’ abilities to mandate unnecessary building codes,” Wingert said. “We’ve been working with [the] Trump Administration on many of these priories, including a delay in the implementation of the 2023 HUD/USDA energy code rule that could add $30,000 to the cost of a new home. We’ve also been focused on making sure housing policy priorities are addressed in the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.”
Reducing the regulatory burdens placed on builders that prevent new construction or make it more difficult to build entry-level and affordable housing is the key to handling the affordability crisis in the housing market, Wingert said. He adds that the affordability crisis is directly related to the lack of supply, and policy changes should reflect that need.
“In addition to our focus on reducing regulatory burdens for builders, we’re also focused on increasing the pipeline of new workers into the construction trades,” Wingert said, “One of the biggest obstacles to increasing housing supply is a lack of skilled domestic labor, and we need to do more as a country to make sure kids know the trades are a path to a meaningful and well-paying career. We’re working to pass the CONSTRUCTS Act at the federal level, and our local associations are focused on funding for community colleges and vocational schools, as well as bringing shop classes back to high schools.”
NAHB has created a 10-point Housing Plan to address the housing supply shortage that members are encouraged to share with elected officials and candidates at all levels of the government, Wingert said.
“Zoning restrictions, growth moratoriums, impact fees and increased building code mandates for things like energy efficiency all contribute to the increased cost of housing,” Wingert said. “We also believe strongly in consumer choice — many communities and some states have tried to ban natural gas on new construction — something we’ve fought at the ballot box and in the court room.”
Real estate agents are all too familiar with today’s housing supply shortage and affordability challenges, as these issues directly impact their day-to-day business. According to Wingert, collaboration between builders and agents has the power to drive meaningful change.”
“By partnering with builders to reduce regulatory barriers, promote skilled trades and encourage communities to allow new development, we can have a greater impact,” Wingert said.
The post NAHB advocacy chief shares the fight for housing affordability appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.