THE HOUSING CRUNCH IS REAL

HOW WE GOT HERE, HOW WE ADDRESS IT AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS THAT WILL IMPACT WHAT AND WHERE WE CALL HOME

Robert Dietz, NAHB chief economist, said the profit margins for smaller scale builders and developers — the vast majority of the industry — are “not extremely high.” 

He said many of the same people advocating for more affordable and attainable housing are the same ones in favor of permit fees, taxes and impact fees that drive up the price of housing.

“Housing is a capital asset — the typical single-family home lasts 80 to 100 years. 

Rather than a high-up-front fee, finance infrastructure needed to support residential development with low-cost (municipal) bond debt,” he said.

 “This would make the entry point for homeownership lower.”