The Green Builder Media Network

In this week’s housing and construction news roundup, we break down the real forces driving costs higher—from childcare expenses now exceeding affordability benchmarks in every state, to infrastructure uncertainty, water constraints, and shifting federal policy that could impact how homes are built and priced.In this episode:Childcare costs are major housing affordability barrierUncertainty around the National Science FoundationWater mapping tool from the U.S. Geological Survey$1.3 trillion financing system could unlock housing supplyNew Jersey’s plan to accelerate homebuilding using state-owned landFederal rollback of energy code requirements3D-printed housing with Azure Printed HomesRuling in Ohio that could reshape multifamily developmentRammed earth constructionSolar demand is shifting from sustainability to energy securityHow Japanese firms are expanding into U.S.New green building standards from National Association of Home Builders and International Code CouncilThe Impact Series: Chris CastroSolar + Battery Storage webinar: May 20Upcoming EventsMay 5–6: Reuters Responsible Business USA 2026 BostonMay 6: Virtual Webinar: 30 Years of Energy Star for Homes: The Origin StoryMay 8: Seven Habits of Highly Effective Builders: Powerful Fundamentals for Better Homes at Lower Cost DenverMay 15: Green Building United’s Sustainability Symposium PhiladelphiaMay 27–28: California Green Building Conference 2026 BerkeleyJune 1–4: NAREE’s 60th Annual Real Estate Journalism Conference MiamiJune 10–13: AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2026 San DiegoJune 11–12: Next Generation Water Summit Santa FeJune 22–24: 2026 NFPA Conference & Expo Las VegasJune 23–25: Trellis Impact 26 San Francisco

Nick Fazli, Director of Sustainability for Sekisui House, offers a provocative look at how short-term thinking is eroding long-term value in housing and the economy, and how to reverse it.