NAHB recently submitted a detailed housing policy paper to the transition team to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Acting on these housing policy priorities will help remove barriers that hinder the construction of new homes and apartments and allow builders to build more attainable, affordable housing.

The policy recommendations in the document outline practical solutions to key issues affecting the housing industry that are acting as headwinds to increase the nation’s housing supply, including the need to:

• Extend and improve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to spur new housing supply;
• Fix material supply chains and lower construction costs;
• Address the labor shortage; and
• Reform the rulemaking process and eliminate excessive regulations.

Download individual sections below, or access the full transition document.

Housing Policy Priorities

• Executive Summary
• Economic Analysis
• Extend and Improve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to Spur New Housing Supply
• Fix Material Supply Chains and Lower Construction Costs
• Address the Labor Shortage
• Reform the Rulemaking Process and Eliminate Excessive Regulations
• The Rulemaking Process
• Building Code Requirements
• HUD/USDA Energy Code Requirements
• Energy Efficiency Standards
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Climate Risk and Resiliency
• Land Use and Zoning Rules
• Permitting Reform and Environmental Reviews
• Labor and Employment Policies
• Housing Finance
• Business Operations

To all of those whose homes, workplaces, or communities were affected by the wildfires, we want you to know that the thoughts and prayers of the Federation are with you. NAHB and the California Building Industry Association are working together closely to monitor the developing situation and support response efforts.

For Members Who Can Help Rebuild 

For members who are willing and able to help communities rebuild, NAHB has the following tools available on nahb.org:

• How Home Builders Can Help Their Communities Rebuild After a Disaster guide. This resource offers tips to help your business effectively respond to your community’s needs in the wake of the wildfire.
• Disaster safety videos for builders on preparing for and responding to natural disasters. The videos are available in both English and Spanish.
• Retrofit Improvements: Making Homes Safer in Disasters page, a collection of NAHB and HUD-developed guides for refitting existing housing to be more resilient after disasters.

To help educate consumers about the rebuilding process, the  NAHB.org/disaster resource hub has customizable resources. Examples of information available include:

• “Don’t Get Scammed: Find a Qualified Contractor” consumer article to add to your website or share on your social media channels.
• Social media images to help educate your community on how to avoid scam contractors.
• “Protect your Home from Wildfires using Fire-Resistant Construction” is a customizable consumer article to share with your clients as they prepare their homes for wildfires.

For Members Who Need Rebuilding Assistance 

Many federal agencies have wildfire and disaster assistance available. The following is a list of government resources for disaster response for businesses and jobsites:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance information is available on the California wildfires disaster resources page.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration’s disaster assistance page outlines the types of assistance and resources available to businesses impacted by natural disasters.
• DisasterAssistance.gov provides information and applications for individuals and households within the impacted area to apply for federal disaster assistance.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a dedicated wildfire response page with QuickCards and Fact Sheets that provide details about hazards in burned areas.
• Environmental Protection Agency’s Wildfire Response page compiles information about housing and construction-related topics such as post-disaster debris removal and toxic hazards.