NAHB State Representative May 2026 Report

A monthly address by Aric Jones, NAHB Colorado State Representative

May 2026
National Housing Highlights

Key NAHB Housing Issues & Updates

·     HUD and the Department of Agriculture announced they are rescinding an energy code mandate, marking a major win for NAHB.

·     NAHB applauded lawmakers’ push to remove harmful provisions in the Senate-passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that mandate the forced sale of single-family build-to-rent (BTR) housing.

·     U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the first phase for applying for tariff refunds.

·     NAHB and ICC released the 2025 edition of the National Green Building Standard.

·     A new NAHB study found that more young adults are interested in the construction trades, but challenges persist.

·     NAHB unveiled the State Projections of Remodeling (SPR), a new resource that estimates quarterly remodeling spending by state.

·     In March, housing starts increased and new home sales increased. In April, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell four points to 34, according to NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).

Housing Market Outlook

As new economic information becomes available, NAHB economists share insights on the current and future state of the U.S. economy and explain how key factors will impact the housing industry. View the latest macro economic analysis.

NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz’s analysis

“Builder sentiment has fallen back in spring as buyers face ongoing elevated interest rates and growing economic uncertainty. While risks with respect to the Iran war, energy costs, and declines for consumer confidence have slowed the market, single-family housing starts did show a solid rebound in March. This suggests builders are responding to pockets of improving demand despite ongoing affordability challenges. But with near-term economic risks elevated, 70% of builders reported challenges pricing homes given uncertainty about material costs.”

Events You Don't Want to Miss

·     Spring Leadership Meetings in DC, June 9–13

·     Legislative Conference and Hill Visit on June 10

·     Build-PAC events on June 11

·     The Area 13 Caucus Meeting on June 12 from 3:30 to 5:30

·     Leadership Council on June 13.

2026 Advocacy Priorities & Victories

• HUD and USDA rescinded the costly 2021 IECC and ASHRAE energy code mandate, protecting housing affordability and preventing significant added costs to new homes.

• NAHB secured legal and legislative wins that blocked implementation of the energy mandate, including a successful federal court ruling backed by 15 states.

• President Trump issued executive orders focused on reducing regulatory barriers and improving access to mortgage credit to help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis.

• The House passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act, advancing key housing reforms tied to zoning, land use, regulatory streamlining and financing tools.

• NAHB continues pushing for a final housing package that protects the development of new single-family rental housing and removes harmful forced-sale mandates.

• The National Labor Relations Board restored the 2020 joint employer standard, reducing burdensome regulations impacting employers and businesses.

• Congress fully funded Job Corps at $1.76 billion for fiscal year 2026, preserving an important skilled labor pipeline for the residential construction industry.

• The House approved the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, supporting efforts to roll back costly energy code provisions tied to the Inflation Reduction Act.

• NAHB remains focused on eliminating regulatory obstacles, reducing impact fees, expediting approvals and supporting local zoning reform efforts to increase housing supply nationwide.

• Tariff uncertainty continues to impact the housing industry, with more than 60% of builders reporting higher construction costs tied to tariffs and supply chain disruption.

• NAHB continues urging the administration to exempt building materials from tariffs to help stabilize pricing and improve housing affordability.

• NAHB worked with bipartisan lawmakers to introduce the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, legislation aimed at creating tariff exemptions for building materials.

NAHB continues to advocate for affordability, supply growth, and a stable regulatory environment, all priorities that directly impact Colorado’s housing economy.

Thank you for your ongoing leadership and engagement.

NAHB is committed to Building Homes, Enriching Communities and Changing Lives.

Aric Jones
NAHB, CO State Representative
aric.jones@outlook.com