Housing, Workforce & Advocacy Remain Top Priorities
National Associate Delegate Report:
The 2026 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Legislative Conference highlighted significant progress on several key issues affecting the residential construction industry.
At the forefront is the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, one of the most significant federal housing proposals in nearly two decades. The bipartisan legislation is designed to reduce regulatory barriers, modernize housing programs, expand housing opportunities, and improve affordability by making it easier to build homes across the country.
Workforce development continues to be a national priority as the construction industry faces a growing labor shortage. NAHB is supporting initiatives that strengthen career and technical education, expand workforce training opportunities, and address workforce challenges through responsible immigration reform. South Dakota’s efforts to launch Be Pro Be Proud South Dakota received strong interest as a model for introducing students to rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Members also received updates on regulatory issues affecting builders, including building codes, permitting delays, material costs, and housing finance. NAHB continues to advocate for reducing unnecessary regulations that increase the cost of housing while working to improve lending opportunities for homebuyers.
Looking ahead, NAHB is implementing its Blueprint to 100 initiative, a strategic effort to modernize membership, strengthen member engagement, and position the Association for long-term success as it approaches its 100th anniversary. The initiative includes improving member services, streamlining operations, and creating new opportunities to engage builders, associates, remodelers, and the next generation of industry leaders.
While economic challenges remain, industry forecasts continue to show long-term demand for housing, particularly in custom homes, remodeling, and regions experiencing sustained population growth. NAHB remains committed to advocating for policies that support housing affordability, workforce development, and a strong residential construction industry.
The South Dakota Home Builders Association continues to work closely with NAHB to ensure the voice of South Dakota builders is represented on issues impacting our members at both the state and national levels.
