Officials at all levels of government wield enormous power over our industry, making it critical that we identify and support pro-housing candidates in the midterm elections.
Policymakers who value the housing sector can work to create a political environment where it can thrive. They can help advance economic and business growth, reduce overly burdensome regulations, and bring more workers to the residential construction field.
That is why NAHB prioritizes helping to elect candidates with a strong pro-housing track record and supporting officials who have demonstrated that they will fight for our industry.
One such initiative is NAHB’s congressional endorsement program, through which the association endorses incumbents and candidates running for Congress who have shown a commitment to policies that promote homeownership, rental housing opportunities, and small business. NAHB makes all endorsement decisions in collaboration with state and local home builder associations. If you would like to suggest a candidate to be endorsed, please contact Michael Bezruki, NAHB’s grassroots programs director, at mbezruki@nahb.org.
We first endorsed congressional candidates in the 2016 election cycle and were very excited when an overwhelming majority—94%—won their races on Election Day. We are looking forward to another high success rate this November.
We are also continuing our Defender of Housing award program in 2018. This award recognizes federal legislators who have offered unwavering support for the housing sector. State and local HBAs nominate lawmakers for the Defender of Housing award, so please visit nahb.org to submit a nomination.
When we began this program in 2016, NAHB recognized 150 federal legislators—including 29 senators and 121 House members—with this honor. We are hoping to disburse even more awards in 2018.
Bringing Housing Home, which provides opportunities for NAHB members to conduct in-district meetings with their congressional delegations, is another key element in our election year efforts. These meetings are vital to strengthening relationships with lawmakers and keeping housing a priority on Capitol Hill.
We are encouraging HBAs to schedule in-district meetings throughout 2018 when their lawmakers are at home; NAHB staff can help facilitate meetings.
BUILD-PAC, NAHB’s bipartisan political action committee, is also critically important in our efforts to help elect a pro-housing Congress this fall. We have raised over $2 million for the PAC in this election cycle and are edging closer to our $3.3 million goal. BUILD-PAC will spend more than $3 million this cycle to work to ensure the most qualified pro-housing, pro-business candidates are elected to Congress.
The stakes are high in these midterm elections. For our industry to continue to recover from the Great Recession, we need policymakers who recognize the economic and social benefits of housing. Please join NAHB in making sure that residential construction is in the winner’s circle in November. As the lone voice on Capitol Hill for home builders and residential remodelers, NAHB will continue to work with its members to strengthen the industry’s powerful voice in Washington, D.C.
