While NAHB has established a well-deserved reputation on Capitol Hill as an elite power player that wields influence to get pro-housing bills introduced and passed, the association’s Intergovernmental Affairs team is also delivering concrete results by fighting every day on behalf of our state and local home builders associations on major issues that affect our members’ bottom lines.
Through its State and Local Issues Fund, which provides financial assistance to HBAs involved in advocacy efforts on issues affecting the affordability of homeownership, NAHB distributed $298,000 to 18 HBAs in 14 states during 2023. Here are a few notable success stories:
- HBA of Greater Austin. The Austin City Council passed new code amendments for the first phase of the “Home Options for Middle-Income Empowerment” (HOME) Initiative, with a 9-2 supermajority. The approved code amendments are among a series of updates to the city’s Land Development Code (LDC), which governs land use regulations in Austin, intending to provide more housing types and increase housing supply within single-family zoned areas of Austin.
- Home Builders Association of Delaware. The HBA of Delaware worked to overcome potential mandatory fire sprinkler installation requirements in all new construction in New Castle County, Del., which would have added thousands of dollars to the cost of a home.
- HBA of Greater Portland. NAHB helped the local HBA defeat a ballot measure that would have established a countywide 0.75% capital gains tax to fund a tenant resource program to designed to provide legal representation for tenants in eviction proceedings. Builders and members of the business community successfully argued that the ballot tax measure would create an unlimited, adjustable tax on capital gains that applies to everyone living in Multnomah County, including home owners, seniors, small business owners and families.
- Building Industry Association of Washington. With NAHB’s help, the BIA of Washington established a successful campaign school program that is ongoing. This is an invaluable tool for anyone who is interested in running for office or working on political campaigns that will promote your business interests.
Impacting Local Legislation and Regulations
NAHB works tirelessly to create a better business environment for all those involved in the residential construction industry by tracking more than 3,500 housing-related bills in all 50 states that could affect our members.
Looking back on 2023, here are a few highlights of when local and state HBAs shined a light on key issues, challenged regulations that do more harm than good, and fought to level the playing field against powerful interests that could put struggling builders, remodelers and their suppliers out of business:
- Builders contribute to sweeping housing reforms in Montana. Several new laws signed into law will boost the housing supply and expand consumer choice in the state.
- State HBAs work with governors to address housing affordability. NAHB members in Massachusetts and New Mexico are working with leadership in the state houses on both sides of the aisle to advance pro-housing legislation.
- Alabama builders achieve codes victory. The Alabama HBA supported a bill signed into law earlier this year that prevents new home construction costs from increasing.
- Michigan builders score legislative victories. The HBA of Michigan dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort in the last two years advocating for policies designed to increase workforce housing production across the state. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed several of these promising initiatives into law.
The NAHB Intergovernmental Affairs team participates in advocacy events across the nation. HBAs that seek assistance on analysis and strategy of bills that are affecting their communities are encouraged to contact Karl Eckhart, vice president of Intergovernmental Affairs, 202-266-8319.
Learn more how NAHB resources help members and HBAs advocate for a healthy housing market in their communities.
*Note: All articles have been redistributed from NAHB.org*
