NAHB pushes for lumber pricing, supply chain solutions
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is urging the White House to address lumber prices as well supply chain disruptions.
Additionally, the NAHB wants Washington to renew talks with Canada and address the softwood lumber agreement.
In a letter to President Joe Biden, the NAHB as asked the White House to take the following actions:
- Redouble its efforts to address lumber price volatility, which has seen cash prices climb by more than 25% over the past month;
- Address supply chain bottlenecks for lumber and other building materials and supplies that are causing significant delays and keeping home prices about 20% higher than they were a year ago; and
- Return to the negotiating table with Canada and develop a new softwood lumber agreement that will end tariffs on lumber shipments into the United States.
The NAHB’s letter stated that these are “three key issues that continue to trouble our members, each extremely problematic but when combined, will severely hamper the ability to provide affordable housing and provide jobs to strengthen the economy.”
The association has continued to push the White House on these issues, including multiple meetings with top administration officials, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.
The ongoing dialogue culminated with a White House building materials summit this summer that was organized by NAHB.
Although lumber prices have fallen sharply since peaking in mid-May, prices have been moving upward over the past month. In short, the issues are contributing to price volatility and housing affordability.
