Homeowner Energy Freedom Act (HR 4758) Could Offer Relief to Nation’s Homebuilders

Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Texas) has introduced the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act (H.R. 4758), NAHB-supported legislation that would repeal burdensome provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including a provision that provides states $1 billion to incentivize the adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Compliance with the 2021 IECC would make it much harder for home builders and multifamily developers to build housing that is available and affordable for American families. In fact, Home Innovation Research Labs has found that compliance with the 2021 IECC can add more than $20,000 to the price of a new home, but in practice, home builders have estimated increased costs of up to $31,000.

Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced a companion bill (S. 333) in the Senate earlier this year.

Rob's Take: The cost of housing continues to go up. Even as the regulatory burden, reflected in the cost of a new home, sits at about 25%. It’s higher than that for most multi-family units. We appreciate NAHB’s efforts in its attempts to scale back some of these misguided mandates and encourage you to review the bill and stay informed. And as always, REBIC will be watching the progress and providing input as those opportunities arise.

Shared by REBIC on 8/12, Reproduced from NAHB.