Dallas BA Meets with Members of Congress on Housing Policy
The Dallas Builders Association on June 10 took the opportunity on Capitol Hill to make the industry’s voice heard to our members of Congress. A team of members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of NAHB’s national legislative conference.
Meeting with U.S. Representatives from the Dallas Fort Worth region, the Association discussed how Congress can help lower housing costs through meaningful housing legislation, addressing workforce shortages, and implementing regulatory reforms.
Dallas BA asked members of Congress to give particular consideration to four critical issues:
Landmark Housing Legislation — House and Senate leaders are considering a once-in-a-generation housing package that will increase housing production by encouraging land use and zoning reforms, streamlining environmental reviews, and instituting regulatory reforms. Dallas BA urged that two key changes already approved by the House be included in the final bill. These changes include raises and indexes for multifamily loan limits, and the removal of a single-family rental sale mandate that was originally in the legislation but removed at the urging of NAHB.
Workforce Development — Dallas BA asked our members of Congress to pass the CONSTRUCTS Act. The bipartisan legislation will help prepare young adults for careers in the trades. And the DIGNITY Act would secure the border and create a work authorization process for immigrant workers, which requires clear and stringent criteria.
With a shortage of more than 200,000 construction workers, and the reality that home builders will need to add 2.2 million new workers over the next three years, the need for trades and laborers is a major factor in the cost, and even attainability, of needed homes.
Address Permitting Obstacles — Dallas BA thanked our House members who voted for permitting reform, including needed changes to the permitting process related to the Clean Water Act. The Association also urged our members of Congress to do what they can as those reforms work their way through the Senate.
Protect Energy Choice — Dallas BA urged passage of the Energy Choice Act, legislation that protects housing affordability, consumer choice, and energy reliability. The Energy Choice Act would prevent cities and states from banning the use of natural gas in new homes.
During our day on the Hill, Dallas BA, along with members from the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association, met with U.S. Representatives Lance Gooden, Julie Johnson, Keith Self, and Marc Veasey. We also visited with legislative staff from the offices of Jasmine Crockett, Pat Fallon, Brandon Gill, Ronny Jackson, and Beth Van Duyne. Dallas BA staff took the opportunity to visit with Representative Jake Ellzey prior to June 10. We appreciate our members of Congress welcoming us to discuss important housing policy.