“This plan isn’t about lowering standards,” Palasieski emphasizes. “It’s about making sure building codes are developed by experts through a consistent, transparent process — not added piecemeal through legislation that drives up costs without clear benefit.” Balancing Safety, Choice, and Affordability ABMA’s proposal recognizes something often missing from the national conversation: affordability and quality are not opposing goals. Examples from across the country illustrate the challenge. Additional mandates — from fire suppression requirements to all-electric construction rules — can add thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, of dollars to a home’s base price. “When those costs are layered together, homes quickly move out of reach,” Palasieski says. “The result is fewer options for families, even when demand is strong.” ABMA’s approach preserves consumer choice . Families who want additional features can still choose them — but those features should not be mandatory barriers that prevent entry-level homes from being built at all.
well-built, safe, efficient homes that remain attainable for the families who need them most. The goal, Palasieski explains, is balance :
KEY TAKEAWAY
Layered mandates and delays can limit housing supply, reduce consumer choice, and increase costs beyond what many families can reasonably afford.
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