3 Key Benefits of Starting or Joining a Student Chapter
Summer is nearing its end, and for many, that means it's time to go back to school. This is a great opportunity for HBAs to create or re-establish student chapters at schools with skilled or vocational programs and colleges with construction management programs.
NAHB currently boasts more than 100 student chapters nationwide, including more than 160 faculty advisors and 4,500 student members. And there are several reasons why these chapters are growing in popularity, including:
- Student chapters are crucial to the growth of the next generation of home builders. HBAs have the chance to provide hands-on experience and share their depth of institutional knowledge with those who have a budding passion for residential construction.
- Student chapters provide a unique, open forum for students to engage with and learn from their peers as well as from industry professionals. This helps foster a sense of community and gives them opportunities to learn from real-world experience and team collaboration. Student members may visit construction sites, manufacturing plants and even participate in competitions.
- Members of student chapters have a competitive advantage when job hunting, as employers seek candidates with extracurricular activities beyond typical coursework. When seeking a full-time job, students also enjoy the added benefit of having already met or worked with some of the NAHB members in the area.
See which HBAs already have a student chapter, and learn how you can start a student chapter.
Latest from NAHBNow
Environmental Issues | Advocacy
Aug 06, 2026
Proposed Construction Stormwater Permit Aims to Provide Greater Clarity, Flexibility
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a new Construction General Permit (CGP) that would replace the current federal permit when it expires in February 2027. Comments are due Sept. 2, and the EPA will hold a webinar Aug. 18 to review the proposed changes.
Economics
Aug 06, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by NAHB. The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 43, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, down eight points year-over-year.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 07, 2026
U.S. Labor Market Softens in July
The U.S. labor market weakened in July, with nonfarm payrolls down 23,000 and downward revisions cutting another 103,000 jobs from May and June.
Economics
Aug 06, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices.
Economics
Aug 06, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb Again as Iran Conflict Re-escalates
Re-escalation of the conflict in Iran pushed mortgage rates higher in July. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.54% in July, up 5 basis points (bps) over June. Since the conflict in the Middle East began, the 30-year mortgage rate has climbed by almost 50 bps.