Hello Priscilla, 

I spent part of this week in Washington, D.C., attending NAHB’s (National Association of Home Builders) Leadership Training, and the timing couldn’t have been more fitting. As you are aware, Congress is locked in a standoff over the federal budget, and the impact on builders and the trades is already beginning to show.

Here’s what stood out:

• Closings are stalling. With the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) temporarily shut down, new or renewed flood policies can’t be issued. That means any home sale or construction loan tied to a flood zone is at a standstill. In past shutdowns, this has delayed over a thousand closings per day nationwide.

• Affordable housing projects are on pause. HUD funding—particularly for multifamily and Section 8 programs—is frozen. HUD employees are furloughed, so even existing contracts and reimbursements are in limbo.

• USDA and federally backed loans are stuck. If a project or buyer depends on a USDA loan, there’s no one answering the phone right now to move it forward.

• Workforce programs are under pressure. Job Corps, the nation’s largest trades training program, faces a 50% funding cut in the House proposal. NAHB and its partners are working hard to protect that funding, and leaders like Senator Collins are playing a key role in keeping those dollars flowing.

• The labor shortage remains front and center. NAHB’s legislative team emphasized the bipartisan Constructs Act, a bill that would create grants for community colleges and trade schools to train the next generation of builders. It’s a rare example of cooperation that could make a real difference.

It was a reminder that while politics can feel far away, the effects land squarely on job sites across America. Permits, loans, insurance, materials, and skilled labor are all intertwined with government policy.

How to Get Involved:
You don’t need to walk the halls of Congress to make a difference. Here are a few ways to raise your voice for the industry:

• Join your local HBA or Remodelers Council. Your membership helps strengthen the advocacy power behind the NAHB.

• Support Build-PAC. Even small personal contributions add up and help keep pro-builder voices in front of key decision-makers.

• Stay informed and speak up. Follow NAHB’s Eye on Housing and NAHB Now blogs for updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your representatives when issues hit close to home.

• Share your stories. Lawmakers listen when they hear how policies affect real people and real projects.

The “voice of the builder” still carries weight in Washington—but only if we use it.

Your Partner in Success - 
Priscilla

Here's some NEWS you can use!

 🤝 NETWORKING
 

📚  EDUCATION 

💡 WISDOM 

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” - Abraham Lincoln

👷‍♀️ SUPPORT

Should I scale my contracting business... or stay small?



Miss an article? CLICK HERE for the Notes & NEWS archive - please share with a friend!