Welcome to the Athens Area Home Builders Association

The Athens Area Home Builders Association is a non-profit professional trade association made up of member companies, representing residential and light commercial builders, subcontractors, suppliers, and many other service providers to the building industry throughout Athens-Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Stephens, and Walton Counties. Together we are the foundation for the local home-building industry - building pride in our community through interaction, commitment, professionalism, education, community service, and environmental responsibility.

NAHB Now

3 Major Factors Limiting American Construction Productivity
A recent Goldman Sachs report explores why the U.S. construction industry has underproduced compared to other countries’ construction industries. Between 1970 and 2024, productivity in the U.S. construction industry fell 30% while overall labor productivity more than doubled.
NAHB’s Monthly Update Highlights Housing Priorities and Industry Outlook
To help members articulate key housing priorities, NAHB’s Monthly Update provides the latest messaging framework for the Federation. See the current advocacy updates and more.
Do Buyers Still Want Pools?
After a rapid expansion of residential swimming pool and spa construction following the pandemic, permit levels in the latest monthly index for December fell to their lowest level since 2020.
Explore Senior Leadership Opportunities at Nominations Forum
The Nominations Committee will host a Nominations Forum during the 2026 International Builders’ Show. Members who may be interested in becoming a future candidate for NAHB Third Vice Chair, as well as those who would like to work on a campaign, are encouraged to attend.
NAHB Scores Wins as Congress Reopens Government
Congress has approved legislation to end a three-day partial government shutdown that will provide funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and several other federal agencies through Sept. 30, 2026.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

New Members

Eye On Housing

Job Openings Fall as Labor Market Weakens
Running counter to the data for the full economy, the count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry increased in December, per the delayed 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 […]
Builders’ Top Challenges for 2026
The most significant challenge builders faced in 2025 was high interest rates, as reported by 84% of builders in the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey. A smaller, albeit still significant share of 65% expect interest rates to remain a problem in 2026. The next four most serious issues builders faced in 2025 were buyers […]
Mortgage Rates Declined Despite Higher Treasury Yields
Long-term mortgage rates continued to decline in January. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.10% last month, 9 basis points (bps) lower than December. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate declined 4 bps to 5.44%. Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is lower by 86 bps. The 15-year rate is also lower […]
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.7%
The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.7% in the last quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly increase, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated, and housing supply still tight, housing affordability is at a multidecade low. […]
U.S. Population Growth Slows in 2025
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest estimates, the U.S. resident population grew by 1,781,060 to a total population of 341,784,857. The population grew at a rate of 0.5%, a sharp decline from the near 1.0% growth in 2024. The growth rate was the lowest since 2021 when it grew at 0.2%. The vintage population […]