Podcast: As GDP Contracts, NAHB Fights NIMBYs and an Exec Order
This post has been updated.
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss economic policies and performance, NAHB advocacy and how an upcoming Supreme Court case may affect NAHB’s legal advocacy efforts.
Gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.3%, with imported goods being a large contributor to the decline as the suppliers prepared for President Trump’s tariff proposals once he took office. NAHB estimates this should even out in the second quarter.
Other economic data of note are inflation, which is still elevated but creeping downward, and the unemployment rate, which remains low but may edge up among economic uncertainty.
“It’s going to be spotty from here on out,” Tobin observed. “But [NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz] hasn’t hit the panic button yet. And I still think that we don’t know what President Trump’s economy really is yet. It’s been policy by sledgehammer, and now they’re going to start putting the pieces back together.”
NAHB Senior Officers and staff continue to actively engage with lawmakers on this and other policies, including a special BUILD-PAC Capital Club event this week featuring an interview with Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.).
“We’re truly firing on all cylinders in order to make sure we can provide a clear message to the government about what we need to do to increase housing supply and lower costs,” Tobin stated.
Deregulation has been a key issue for NAHB — especially at the local level where Not in My Back Yard advocates, or NIMBYs, have been active in pushing their agendas against development. Opening federal lands for development has also been met with criticism with claims that it’s just a handout for home builders.
“Once again, people just keep erecting barriers to housing production in this country, and we need lawmakers to stand up to that and say, “Enough’s enough,’” Tobin shared.
“Everything that we’re dealing with is more common sense than anything else,” Lopez added. “We’re just trying to get back to normal to make sure that we get homes out there so that people can actually buy and live in them.”
A new Supreme Court case looking at Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship may also impact the Federation. Trump v. CASA, Inc. will look at whether or not entities can represent faceless individuals who will never appear in court, which could include associations such as NAHB representing its members.
Don’t forget to register to the Legislative Conference, taking place June 11 during NAHB’s Spring Leadership Meeting, to discuss these and other issues with lawmakers.
Listen to the full episode of the podcast below and subscribe to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast provider, or watch all the episodes on .