June 25, 2025
Sarah Cosgrove
Did you know that part of your membership includes not only state (NCHBA), and national (NAHB) memberships, but also includes Advocacy for our industry?
I recently had the honor of representing the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Washington, D.C. during Builders on the Hill, where builders and association leaders from across the country met with lawmakers to advocate for the future of our industry.
While in D.C., I had the opportunity to meet with members of our North Carolina congressional delegation to discuss critical issues impacting housing in our region, including:
- Workforce development and addressing skilled labor shortages
- Pro-housing legislation to increase housing supply and affordability
- Reducing regulatory burdens that hinder construction and land use
- Expanding access to financing (Mortgage rates) for first-time homebuyers and affordable housing developers
A special thank-you to Senator Ted Budd and Representative Tim Moore for taking the time to meet with us and hear directly from Western North Carolina’s builders about the real challenges and opportunities we’re facing on the ground, pre and post Helene.
I was also honored to attend the National Hispanic Construction Alliance’s (NHCA) Inaugural Board Installation, celebrating a new national platform for Hispanic leaders in construction. It was inspiring to witness this historic moment and to be part of a growing movement focused on inclusion, entrepreneurship, and workforce advancement across our industry.
As your Advocacy and Community Engagement Director, I’ll continue sharing updates and opportunities to get involved in shaping policy that impacts housing here in Western North Carolina and beyond.
There are many opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts and we’d love to have you! We really have power in numbers. There are quarterly state meetings, Builders on the Hill each year in June, and If you’d like to learn more or get engaged in future advocacy efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah at advocate@ashevillehba.com.
