Representatives Jim Costa (D-California) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to intervene to curb rising lumber costs.
The congressmen’s letter asserts that rising building materials costs and supply shortages could harm the economic recovery and exacerbate an already constrained housing market. “Unfortunately, this unprecedented price increase on new homeowners, as well as home builders, will persist until new sawmills come online and current mills re-open and operate at full capacity,” the letter says.
The National Association of Home Builders also supports administrative action. Lumber costs have tripled since April 2020, NAHB says, increasing the cost of construction on a typical single-family home by $24,000.
NAHB has asked the Commerce Department to investigate the issue. The organization has noted the low levels of lumber production and sawmill output despite the high demand for product. NAHB chairman Chuck Fowke has urged Biden and Congress to encourage domestic lumber producers to ramp up production and end tariffs on Canadian lumber shipments.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2019
Mass. governor proposes real estate transfer fee hike for climate resiliency projects
Opposed by real estate and trade groups, plan could generate $1 billion in next decade.
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2019
New York City will reform construction bid process
Streamlined process intended to improve efficiency, reduce hassle for bidders.
Codes and Standards | Jan 30, 2019
New AGC program aims to diversify construction workforce
More diversity needed to keep pace with demand for workers.
Codes and Standards | Jan 29, 2019
Registration now open for LEED v4.1 for New Construction and Interior Spaces
Emphasizes human health and integrative building design.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2019
AEC professionals should push for net zero projects
Educate and lead clients to more sustainable choices, says LEED fellow.
Codes and Standards | Jan 24, 2019
OSHA unaffected by federal government shutdown
Agency fully funded for first nine months of 2019.
Codes and Standards | Jan 23, 2019
Hackers can easily take control of construction cranes
Potential for serious harm is real, say researchers.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2019
Initiative will introduce open-source software for commercial and public building retrofits
Energy analysis tool will identify energy efficiency opportunities.
Codes and Standards | Jan 18, 2019
Texas city sues developer over changes in $1 billion mixed-use project
Revised plan eliminated 8-acre lagoon, trolley, show fountain, and reduced retail space.
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2019
First resilience benchmarks for U.S. communities released
Provides way to evaluate current state of resilience and guidance for areas of improvement.