NAHB—Making a Difference for Its Members

This article first appeared in the February 2021 issue of Pro Builder.

The unprecedented challenges our nation faced in 2020 led to numerous changes in the way we live, work, and spend our everyday lives. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) was there to lead every step of the way for our industry, with the same dedication and perseverance that has served our members for more than 75 years.

NAHB has a proven track record of making our members’ voices heard on Capitol Hill, in the courts, and in the halls of federal regulatory agencies. We also work closely with our local home builder association partners defending the interests of home builders and the housing industry in state houses, county governments, and city halls.

When you join your local home builders association, your three-in-one membership means you are automatically a member of your state association and NAHB. Our advocacy efforts include educating lawmakers to shape policy outcomes at every level of government.

This past year, that meant NAHB staff and leadership worked to address our members’ concerns in the economic stimulus packages passed by Congress. We worked closely with leaders on both sides of the aisle to ensure the latest recovery legislation addressed key builder concerns, including relief for small businesses from burdensome loan forgiveness requirements, help for struggling renters and landlords with dedicated rental assistance, and support for our state and local associations that had been largely excluded in early relief measures. A permanent minimum 4% credit floor on low-income housing tax credits enables NAHB multifamily developer members to finance thousands of additional affordable rental units.

In fact, in a typical year, the average builder member saves thousands of dollars as a result of NAHB’s advocacy efforts. But there are plenty of other reasons to join NAHB. Staff expertise at NAHB includes top economists, tax specialists, attorneys, financial experts, and regulatory and building codes specialists whose research, analysis, and outreach advance the membership’s agenda. Perhaps most important is the networking opportunities that come with membership. NAHB’s 130,000 members share insights and ideas that are priceless in today’s economic climate. Joining the NAHB community expands your base of potential partners, customers, and suppliers, and connects you with people who can help grow your business or catapult your career.

NAHB worked closely with leaders on both sides of the aisle to ensure the latest recovery legislation addresses key builder concerns.

Our largest networking opportunity, NAHB’s International Builders’ Show (IBS), has gone virtual this year. The IBSx virtual experience will enable members to experience an interactive showcase of the latest products, trends, and best practices you need to wow your customers and strengthen your business. Members also point to valuable services such as NAHB’s educational opportunities, including online courses, webinars, books, and software, and exclusive savings on products and services you use every day from brands you know and trust.

Our five pillars of membership—advocacy, expertise, networking, knowledge, and savings—form the foundation of what we do to help you build a better business. If you build or remodel homes, or provide products and services to businesses that do, I hope you will look at the broad range of services and advocacy support. Join us and be part of something truly meaningful.

W2W4 at NAHB

• Wondering what current housing data means for the industry? NAHB offers analysis of the latest government data and monthly surveys that take the pulse of the single-family housing market. Find out more at eyeonhousing.org
• The Housing Developments weekly podcast offers news from Capitol Hill and economic analyses from NAHB CEO Jerry Howard and chief lobbyist Jim Tobin. nahb.org/news-and-economics/blogs-and-publications

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