Welcome to the Athens Area Home Builders Association
The Athens Area Home Builders Association is a non-profit professional trade association made up of member companies, representing residential and light commercial builders, subcontractors, suppliers, and many other service providers to the building industry throughout Athens-Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Stephens, and Walton Counties. Together we are the foundation for the local home-building industry - building pride in our community through interaction, commitment, professionalism, education, community service, and environmental responsibility.
NAHB Now
- Four Ways HBAs Can Support Skilled Trades EducationAcross the country, the Home Builders Institute works alongside home builders associations and their foundations to bring skilled trades education to more students and connect that education to opportunities in their communities.
- Fewer Ladders, Faster Inspections: Why Builders Are Turning to DronesWith rising material costs and lingering labor shortages, builders need to keep projects on schedule and on budget now more than ever. Drone as a Service can help, delivering next-generation aerial data insights to builders, without needing to purchase drones, hire pilots, or navigate regulatory approvals.
- NAHB Names Alison Benson as its New Chief Financial Officer and TreasurerNAHB has promoted Alison Benson, CPA, to chief financial officer and treasurer. Benson brings more than two decades of accounting, financial planning and nonprofit financial management experience to the role. She joined NAHB in February 2026 as vice president, controller, and also served as interim treasurer.
- How Project Managers Can Effectively Set Expectations to Find SuccessHone your management skills in an upcoming Nov. 12 live online course titled “Project Controls Fundamentals: Monitoring Scope, Cost and Time” from 1-4 p.m. ET.
- What a Building Code Study Gets Wrong About Housing AffordabilityA working paper from researchers at the University of Alabama concludes that when a jurisdiction adopts new residential building codes, it has no effect on the sales prices of homes. But a close technical review reveals that the study’s policy conclusions go well beyond what its analysis can establish.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
New Members
Eye On Housing
- Housing’s Share of the Economy Falls Again as It Continues to Face HeadwindsHousing’s share of the economy was 15.7% in the third quarter of 2026, according to the latest estimates of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This share is down from 15.8% in the second quarter and down from 16.0% a year ago. Residential construction, measured by residential fixed investment, fell for the sixth […]
- PCE Inflation Accelerated in SeptemberThe Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge accelerated in September after holding at 3.0% for three consecutive months, complicating the Fed’s path to its 2% target. Consumer spending continued to be pushed up by elevated energy prices rather than income growth, driving the personal saving rate to the lowest level in nearly four years. The headline […]
- U.S. Economy Accelerated in the Third Quarter of 2026The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace in the third quarter of 2026, supported by stronger consumer spending, robust business investment, and increased government spending. However, residential investment remained a weak spot, highlighting the continued challenges facing the housing sector amid elevated borrowing costs. According to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of […]
- Homeownership Rate Rises to 65.5%The latest homeownership rate reached 65.5% in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly increase, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated, and housing supply still tight, housing affordability is at a multidecade low. Compared […]
- Fed Holds Rates, With Two Votes for Another HikeThe Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate at a target range of 3.75% to 4% at the conclusion of its October policy meeting. Approved by a 10–2 vote, the decision followed September’s quarter-point increase. Federal Open Market Committee members Lisa Cook and Beth Hammack dissented, supporting another 25-basis-point increase for October. The Federal Open […]
