NAHB Chairman Calls for Ending Lumber Tariffs, Boosting Output at White House Event
NAHB Chairman Jerry Konter urged the Biden administration to increase domestic production of timber from federal lands and to work with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement that will eliminate tariffs during a March 14 virtual White House listening session on resolving the lumber and building material supply chain crisis.
“Historically high price levels for lumber and other building materials are dramatically affecting home prices and rental costs and threaten the nation’s economic stability,” said Konter.
He told administration officials that home building material costs are up 20% year-over-year. And since last August, the price of framing lumber has more than tripled and oriented strand board (OSB) prices have doubled.
“These supply chain price increases have only added to the ongoing housing affordability crisis,” Konter said.
Lumber production has not kept pace with demand despite record-high lumber prices and tariffs that are protecting domestic producers and raising costs for builders and home buyers.