Conversations about housing affordability and solutions are no longer limited to stakeholders in the industry. The topic—and housing as a whole—has become a priority for elected officials across the political spectrum.
Housing was a key issue during the presidential election, and President Trump signaled that it would be a priority for his administration by issuing an executive order on housing relief in his first days in office. The focus on housing extends beyond the federal level, with legislators at the state and local level exploring ways to ease housing affordability, reduce regulatory burdens, and promote more housing supply.
“As this legislative session kicks off on the state and federal [level], I think the message back from Congress is they are not ignoring us and they want to find solutions,” says Karl Eckhart, vice president of state and local government affairs for the NAHB. “They have heard enough from their constituents that spending 40% to 60% of their income on housing is not a good idea. We’ve got their attention and they want to work with us.”
In 2024 alone, the NAHB’s federal team testified 12 times before Congress and maintained a similar presence at the state level. In its most recent appearance before Congress, the NAHB emphasized the importance of addressing the “5 Ls” placing pressure on home builders: lending, labor, lumber, lots, and laws.
Against this backdrop, Eckhart says there is a general positive sentiment that housing policy solutions will be introduced and passed in the upcoming legislative session.
With housing affordability as a central focus, bills addressing zoning, permitting, workforce development, and taxes are taking shape. Additional legislation related to natural gas usage and forest management are also key in helping strengthen the supply chain for home builders.
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