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 Recruitment and Retention
Nov 05, 2026
The Value of Being One of NAHB's Top Recruiters
Member-to-member recruitment is essential for growing NAHB’s membership. Here are the perks members are being rewarded with for their efforts.
Economics
Nov 05, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Third Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the third quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 41, down five points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 69, also down five points year-over-year.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Mortgage Applications Decline as Higher Rates Boost ARM Share
Mortgage application activity declined in October as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply again. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, fell 14.1% month-over-month in October on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were 39.8% lower.
Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Laundry Room Locations in New Homes and Apartments, 2025
In 2025, the majority of homes started featured laundry connections on the first floor (70%), according to the Census’s Survey of Construction. Laundry located on the second floor or higher was the second most prevalent at 27%. The basement, garage, and other locations all had a 1% or lower share.
Economics
Nov 03, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb in October Amid Accelerating Inflation
Mortgage rates rose sharply again in October as the U.S. treasury yields surged. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.33% in October, up 47 basis points (bps) from September. The rate reached 7.40% in early October, its highest level since 2023, before easing toward the end of the month.