T
he National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has arrived in Washington, D.C. for its 2025 Legislative Conference, where over 1,000 housing advocates are lobbying lawmakers on legislation to ease the housing affordability crisis. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have set a deadline for Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte to provide information on his plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac privatization.

    The NAHB has expressed strong opposition to proposed cuts to HUD's budget, calling them "draconian." The association is also concerned about staffing shakeups at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where the acting head of enforcement resigned this week. At the CFPB, Cara Petersen alleged that the bureau's mission is "under attack."

    On Capitol Hill, NAHB members are meeting with lawmakers to push for legislation that addresses three main issues: energy standards, construction labor shortages, and tax policy. The association wants to block efforts to institute a minimum energy standard, which could result in higher housing costs, and pass the Energy Choice Act to allow local governments to choose their own energy sources.

    The NAHB is also urging Congress to pass the CONSTRUCTS Act, which would create a grant program to develop new talent in residential construction. Addressing the construction labor shortage is crucial to easing the affordability crisis, according to the association. Additionally, the NAHB is pressing lawmakers to support tax policies that retain energy tax incentives and provide affordable rental housing resources.

    In related news, HUD Secretary Scott Turner celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Hughes as the department's new deputy secretary. However, at the CFPB, Cara Petersen resigned in an email alleging that the bureau's mission is under attack.

    Senate Democrats have called on Pulte to pause any privatization efforts and provide further clarification on his plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The lawmakers are concerned that hasty changes could increase costs for families seeking to purchase a home and make the housing crisis worse.