CITY COUNTY OBSERVER STAFF
Indiana is partnering with 15 states and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to challenge new energy standards that they say will make homeownership unattainable for many hardworking Hoosier families.
According to the NAHB, new standards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can add up to $31,000 to the price of a new home.
“As a conservative, I love efficiency and would note that one cannot be a true ‘conservative’ without being willing to ‘conserve’ God’s green earth. But over-regulation, that doesn’t yield meaningful results and comes with wild costs, is a bad deal that common sense Hoosiers should reject,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said.
Attorney General Rokita thanked the Indiana Builders’ Association (IBA) for bringing this issue to his office. Rick Wajda, CEO of the IBA, said this policy will act as a deterrent to new construction at a time when Indiana and the nation desperately needs to boost its housing supply to lower shelter inflation costs. It is also in direct conflict with the current energy codes in the majority of jurisdictions around the country.
“At a time when Hoosiers are struggling to qualify for a mortgage or make a rent payment, this federal policy is the last thing our potential customers need,” Wajda said. “For every $1,000 increase in the cost of a house in Indiana, over 1,900 Hoosier households are priced out of the market. We need to reduce barriers to housing, not increase them. The Indiana Builders Association appreciates the efforts of Attorney General Rokita to stop these onerous costs being put on Hoosier homebuyers and renters.”
