Environmental, Social, and Governance concerns – commonly referred to as ESG – were top of mind when the chairwoman of the National Association of Home Builders recently met with members of Congress.
NAHB chairwoman Alicia Huey, a Birmingham, AL home builder, recently testified at a House Financial Service subcommittee hearing and said the number of environmental, social, and governance policies now in place at the local, state, and national levels were having a negative impact on the home building business.
“We worry that ESG disclosure requirements could further impede or prevent the availability of needed building supplies and/or transportation to their required destinations,” she said, citing ongoing supply chain issues and bank financing for building projects.
“ESG policies already have caused home insurance companies to drop out of some areas and raise rates in others,” she said. “Bank lenders are being urged to minimize the risks associated with their portfolios, causing concern they may cease lending in certain locations or increase their borrowing rates.”
She cited several specific areas of concern to the association, including energy codes, water supply and flood provisions, insurance costs, and recent moves to ban gas stoves from new home construction.
“Now is not the time to create or support additional regulations that add more uncertainty, delays, and costs to the home building process,” she testified. “NAHB continues to urge Congress and the Biden Administration to address these factors that hamper the ability of home builders to increase the supply of quality, affordable housing.”
