NAHB Now
- Judge Determines FEMA’s Termination of BRIC Program UnlawfulA federal judge ruled that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction restoring the program. This action is of note to the housing community because NAHB has been pushing Congress to pass the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, which would allow […]
- Preventing Cold, Flu and COVID Illnesses on Jobsites Starts with a PlanIn the construction industry, working outdoors may appear to create less risk for catching a cold, flu, and COVID-19, but it’s crucial to understand that these illnesses can still spread while working in close proximity in any conditions.
- FHA Announces Forward Mortgage Loan Limits for 2026The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced its 2026 Nationwide Forward Mortgage Loan Limits, which provides the maximum mortgage loan limits for single-family homes that are insured by the FHA.
- House Passes NAHB-Supported PERMIT ActThe House today passed the PERMIT Act, a legislative package championed by NAHB designed to provide the necessary clarity and confidence needed under the Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting process.
- Alabama Home Builders Foundation Prepares Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s CareersFor three decades, the Alabama Home Builders Foundation (AHBF) has guided high school students and adults statewide toward careers in residential construction.
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Eye On Housing
- Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.3% The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). Despite this quarterly increase, the trend continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated, and housing supply still tight, housing affordability is at a multidecade low. Compared to the peak […]
- No Risk-Free Path: Fed Eases Monetary PolicyThe central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates a third and final time in 2025, reducing the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a 3.5% to 3.75% range. This reduction will help reduce financing costs of builder and developer loans. Furthermore, and explicitly noted by Fed Chair […]
- Construction Labor Market StableThe count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry was relatively unchanged in October, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing. The number of open jobs for […]
- Mortgage Activity Continued to Climb in NovemberMortgage activity continued to climb in November, posting the largest year-over-year increase in more than five years. Every major category increased on a year-over-year basis as mortgage rates continue to trend lower, led by strong increases in refinancing and adjustable-rate mortgage activity. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, fell 1.6% from October on a seasonally adjusted basis but was 60% higher than a year ago.  The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed mortgages basis continued to […]
- Community Associations: A Growing Trend in 2024In 2024, 65.7% of all new single-family homes started were built within a community or homeowner’s association. This share increased from the 64.8% recorded in 2023, according to data tabulated from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC). This marks the second highest share since the beginning of the series in 2009, after a high […]
