HBI Seeks Participants for Labor Shortage Study
The University of Denver, in collaboration with the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Fannie Mae, is finalizing a pivotal research study on the impact of labor shortages on housing affordability.
To help inform the study, HBI is looking for builders to participate in this research project. HBI’s aim is to collect a minimum of 50 case studies from a diverse group of builders, including small (10-100 homes), medium (100-1,000 homes), and large (over 1,000 homes) builders. The University of Denver will finalize the study next week, which will include a 60-minute interview with the identified builders via Zoom.
Eligible respondents will receive free sponsorship acknowledgment at the HBI reception at the 2025 International Builders’ Show in February in Las Vegas and be acknowledged in the final report, which will be shared with all participants.
Your participation will provide invaluable insights and data, contribute to a comprehensive understanding of this critical issue and help develop effective solutions that can transform the industry.
Please contact Paula Morris, HBI executive office manager, as soon as possible to participate.
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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the third quarter, posting a reading of 62—up one point compared to the previous quarter.
For the first time since 2022, the share of new homes with two-story foyers increased, according to the Census Bureau's Survey of Construction (SOC). Despite the increase, the market share of two-story foyers has generally trended downward since 2017, with most new single-family homes being built without a two-story foyer both nationally and regionally.
Latest Economic News
In the third quarter of 2026, the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 62, up one point compared to the previous quarter. The RMI has remained within a narrow band between 59 and 70 for the past four years.
Mortgage application activity declined as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, decreased 7.7% month-over-month in September on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were lower by 35.4%.
Mortgage rates rose sharply in September as multiple factors applied significant upward pressure on the U.S. treasury yields. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.86% in September, up nearly 20 basis points (bps) from August.