ABMA Finalizes National Housing Proposal

For the past several months, we have been working toward a meaningful proposal to tackle housing policy in the United States, one that restores our ability to build homes first-time buyers can actually afford.

Through the late spring and summer, we conducted our own research, spoke with stakeholders across the country, and attended conferences where the issue was front and center. In September, we put pen to paper and began releasing our findings through the weekly newsletter. Last week, the ABMA committee met and offered their final input. Now, the proposal is complete.

While we’ve been researching, discussing, and drafting, our lobbyist Jim Thompson has positioned ABMA to move this proposal in a meaningful way. He is in direct contact with the White House—which is reportedly considering declaring a national emergency to address the housing crisis—and is in serious talks with potential congressional sponsors to have a bill drafted and introduced based on our recommendations.

Our proposal is simple but bold, and we believe that’s the right formula to tackle an issue people have been talking about for far too long. You don’t need to look far to see that the most influential institutions and leaders are now past the point of discussion and deeply concerned about where we’re headed. At the recent Federal Reserve meeting, the possibility of a housing market crash was discussed openly. Cabinet secretaries have described the cost of housing as an “all hands on deck” challenge, and major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs have voiced serious concern.

This was an issue our members brought forward—and this is ABMA answering the call. ABMA is your seat at the table to move national policy. Our members drive our direction and shape our agenda. We aim not just to react, but to act proactively on the issues that matter most to the lumber and building materials industry.