Podcast: NAHB Members Become Lobbyists Next Week in DC
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez gear up for the Legislative Conference during the NAHB Spring Leadership Meeting.
More than 800 NAHB members will head to Capitol Hill to discuss key housing issues — “the things that are keeping us from meeting our full potential and building those 1.5 million new homes that we need to build each year,” as Tobin stated — with policymakers across the U.S., with a key focus on the housing affordability crisis.
“There isn’t a state or district across the country that isn’t facing an affordability crunch right now, whether it’s apartments or whether it’s ownership,” Tobin said. “And that’s what our members have to focus on.”
Specific issues that members will bring to policymakers include energy codes, transformers and workforce development. Webinars are available for members on these issues, and NAHB will host a Legislative Conference Briefing on June 12.
In addition to the Legislative Conference, Tobin and Lopez also delve into a recent Wall Street Journal article regarding multifamily development, last week’s verdict in Donald Trump’s criminal trial and potential impact on the 2024 presidential election, and congressional election predictions.
Tobin and Lopez also gave a special shout-out to Lori Asaro, chair of the National Sales and Marketing Council, who is currently road tripping across the country to Washington, D.C., for the Spring Leadership Meeting. Follow her journey on social media at #nahbontheroad.
Listen the full episode below and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership | Advocacy | Leadership Meetings
Aug 12, 2026
Chairman's Update: What the Industry Pulse Check Told Us About Our Federation
In his August update, 2026 NAHB Chairman Bill Owens spotlights the feedback received through NAHB’s Industry Pulse Check and next steps on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act implementation.
Workforce Development | National Housing Endowment
Aug 12, 2026
New NHE-Funded Tool Maps Training Opportunities Nationwide
ConstructionSkillsMap.org, a new nationwide tool funded by the National Housing Endowment, makes it easier to find skilled trades training opportunities in communities across the country.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 13, 2026
Building Material Prices Show Growth In July
Residential building material prices, excluding energy, rose 0.4% in July and were up 5.0% from a year ago. Energy prices fell again in July but remained significantly higher than a year ago. Meanwhile, prices for services were down 0.3% over the month but were 6.2% higher than a year ago.
Economics
Aug 13, 2026
Homeownership Rate Edges Down to 65%
The latest homeownership rate declined to 65% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). The homeownership rate was unchanged from a year ago, and not statistically different than the rate in the first quarter of the year (65.3%).
Economics
Aug 12, 2026
Inflation Eased Slightly in July
Led by declines in gasoline and diesel prices, inflation eased for the second consecutive month after reaching a three-year high in May. As energy prices moderated, shelter resumed its role as the largest driver of headline inflation, accounting for one-third of the annual increase and over two-thirds of the monthly increase.