As the price of board lumber reaches an historic high, the National Association of Home Builders has increased pressure on the Biden Administration to rein in lumber costs.
The recent jump in prices has added nearly $36,000 to the price of an average new single-family home and $119 a month to rent a new apartment, according to NAHB estimates. NAHB officials recently met virtually with White House staff from the Domestic Policy Council, National Economic Council, and the Office of the Vice President.
The discussion included mill capacity issues, mill worker shortages, and the impact of lumber prices on the housing affordability crisis. NAHB said the Biden Administration was noncommittal on the requests, but open to future discussion.
NAHB previously held discussions with congressional leaders and administration officials, and the organization has encourage local chapters to lobby on a grassroots level. The lumber shortage and high costs are expected to persist until new sawmills come online and existing mills re-open and ramp up to full capacity.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020
LEED, GBCI rating systems spur resilience-enhancing strategies
Expanded programs, resources address impact of climate change.
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020
International Code Council to hold inaugural online education event
Week-long ICC Learn Live will include panel conversations, keynotes, and breakout sessions around key topics in building safety.
Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2020
Guides addressing fenestration anchorage updated
First update to decade-old technical documents released.
Codes and Standards | Oct 1, 2020
Deadline extension for LEED 2009 project certifications
Delivery timeline delays due to COVID-19 pandemic prompt action.
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2020
New drinking water standard criteria further restricts lead leaching in plumbing products
Tightened standard applies to endpoint devices that dispense drinking water, and other plumbing components
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2020
Groups sue CDC over eviction moratorium
Natl. Apartment Assn. and New Civil Liberties Alliance want hearing by October.
Codes and Standards | Sep 24, 2020
Benefits of building enclosure commissioning include reduced costs
Savings achieved in less rework and fewer and shorter punch lists.
Codes and Standards | Sep 23, 2020
Intl. Code Council aims to stay ahead of new tech, efficiency trends, and resiliency
Passive survivability, social resiliency, and community health among the goals.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2020
Air cleaners, chemical and UV treatments among tools to safeguard indoor air amid pandemic
Strategies augment social distancing, increased air flow to combat COVID-19 spread.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2020
No ease of lumber price spikes in sight
Wildfires strike Northwest timber industry in wake of Covid-19 shutdowns.
