This year, NAHB is celebrating its diamond anniversary. It may seem hard to believe, but for three-quarters of a century, your national organization has been advocating tirelessly for home builders, homeowners, and communities across the country. Reaching this milestone lets us think about how far NAHB has come in the past 75 years—and where it is headed in the future.
The world was a very different place when NAHB was formed in 1942. At that time, the Greatest Generation was engaged in a war across much of the globe to secure the peace and prosperity that we enjoy today. The average value of an owner-occupied home was about $30,600 in today’s inflation-adjusted dollars, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In the intervening decades, the economy has fluctuated, political power has shifted, and different housing policies have gone into effect. But as much as things have changed, NAHB has been a constant fixture—always trying to create a favorable business environment for home building professionals.
To mark this anniversary, NAHB has events and activities planned throughout the year. Visit nahb.org/75years to learn more about everything that is scheduled. NAHB’s anniversary theme, “We Build Communities,” emphasizes that the association is a family of approximately 700 HBAs working hand in hand to strengthen local areas nationwide.
Even as NAHB reflects on the past, it also must think about the future of the federation and the industry. What will the next 75 years look like? Technological advances are altering the ways we build houses and conduct business. Changing demographics are creating housing demand for older Americans as well as first-time buyers. And a strengthening housing sector requires more construction workers, affordable building materials, and developable land.
These are the issues right in front of us, but looking ahead, it becomes harder to predict what will happen. Regardless of what the future holds, NAHB will be there to support its members every step of the way, and it will survey the residential construction landscape to identify emerging challenges and opportunities. NAHB will continue to engage public officials and urge them to support pro-housing, pro-business policies. And when necessary, NAHB will use legal measures to facilitate change.
As NAHB celebrates its 75th anniversary, it’s important to recognize how much it has accomplished. NAHB has become a powerful force in Washington, D.C., and at the state and local levels. Let’s work together to make sure the next 75 years bring the same prosperity to our industry and to the American people.
