NAHB's State and Local Issue Fund Helps HBA Advocacy Efforts

Home builders associations continue to advocate for pro-housing policies to improve housing affordability for all. To help HBAs overcome local and state challenges to housing affordability, NAHB's State and Local Government Affairs Committee approved financial assistance for associations through the State and Local Issues Fund (SLIF). More than $96,000 in funds were approved during NAHB's 2024 Fall Leadership Meeting in San Antonio.

Fighting Impact Fees

In 2019, the City of Grand Junction increased its transportation impact fee, drastically increasing the cost of a home. The city plans to increase the fee again and introduce a new linkage fee aimed at affordable housing. SLIF will help offset the cost of a research report for the HBA of Western Colorado (Grand Junction, Colo.) to educate elected officials and the public about the actual cost of increased impact fees.

In Tennessee, the county government introduced numerous proposals to raise impact fees and increase local development regulations to slow down growth in the county. SLIF will help the HBA of Central Tennessee (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) launch a comprehensive public education campaign about impact fees.

Overcoming Environmental Regulations

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is undertaking rule changes to its current land, water and air as part of its Protecting Against Climate Threats (PACT) regulatory project. The New Jersey Builders Association will receive SLIF funds to lobby against the new overly burdensome regulations.

In New York, a new law expands regulations on "waters of the United States" (WOTUS), making obtaining the necessary permits for construction projects challenging and leading to higher costs. SLIF funds will offset the cost of a New York State HBA study on how the new regulations harm housing production.

Defeating Ballot Measures

A ballot measure to abolish property taxes in North Dakota qualified for the 2024 ballot in November. If the measure passes, it will prohibit political subdivisions from levying on property except for bonds. Abolishing property taxes may result in cost savings for home owners; however, state and local governments must make up for the lost revenue, which will likely lead to an increase in other taxes and fees. SLIF will help the North Dakota Association of Builders remain active in a coalition to prevent the ballot measure from moving forward.

Supporting Pro-Housing Policies

The New Mexico HBA is partnering with NAHB to develop a survey that will pinpoint the challenges by home builders in the state and the resulting economic impact. The goal is to provide the survey results to policymakers during the association's legislative lobby day. SLIF will support lobby day efforts and the development of promotional materials.