PD&R Attends 2025 International Builders’ Show to Advance Innovation in Affordable Housing

PD&R Attends 2025 International Builders' Show to Advance Innovation in Affordable Housing

By: Alaina M. Stern, Social Science Analyst, Office of Policy Development and Research, Affordable Housing and Research Technology Division

Introduction

In February, representatives from HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) attended the 2025 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, Nevada, to engage with industry leaders and explore technologies that could shape the future of affordable and resilient housing. Also attending the show was HUD Secretary Scott Turner, who toured the expansive show floor and met with key stakeholders and industry innovators to strengthen partnerships and gather insights that align with HUD's mission to advance innovation in the housing sector.

Exploring the Show Floor With HUD Secretary Scott Turner

At the show, Secretary Turner engaged with exhibitors showcasing advanced construction materials, design solutions, and building technologies. With more than 1,400 manufacturers and suppliers from around the world, the IBS floor featured an impressive array of new products, systems, and techniques aimed at improving housing quality and disaster resilience. The tour gave Secretary Turner a firsthand look at the latest developments in modular and panelized construction, offsite building methods, and innovative approaches to reducing construction costs while enhancing durability.

Engaging With Industry Stakeholders and Associations

At IBS, PD&R met with key industry stakeholders and national associations, such as NAHB, the Modular Building Institute, and the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA). These discussions focused on aligning industry priorities with HUD's goal to accelerate the adoption of advanced construction technologies.

Conversations also centered on expanding partnerships to support HUD's Innovative Housing Showcase (IHS), which highlights innovative and affordable housing designs and technologies  on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. These engagements provided an opportunity to encourage industry leaders to bring their innovations to IHS, fostering broader awareness and collaboration in the pursuit of scalable solutions for the nation's affordable housing challenges.

Exploring the Start-Up Zone: Discovering Emerging Technologies

The Start-Up Zone was a dedicated space at IBS where new companies showcased technologies and solutions aimed at making homes more affordable, resilient, and durable. PD&R representatives explored innovations in artificial intelligence, smart home automation, and sustainable building materials. Exhibitors demonstrated how their technologies could reduce construction timelines, optimize supply chains, and enhance the durability of affordable housing units. PD&R had conversations with these companies about potential pilot projects and collaborations to integrate these technologies into federally funded housing initiatives.

Building Momentum for the 2025 Innovative Housing Showcase

IBS also provided a platform for PD&R to network with potential partners and exhibitors interested in participating in HUD's 2025 IHS. IHS highlights innovative building technologies, materials, and construction methods that can increase the supply of affordable, disaster-resilient housing.

PD&R's outreach at IBS included targeted conversations with manufacturers, modular builders, and technology firms whose work aligns with IHS goals. Many exhibitors expressed strong interest in participating in the upcoming showcase, which offers these firms an opportunity to demonstrate their solutions directly to policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.

Attending Education Sessions to Inform Policy and Practice

PD&R staff attended several educational sessions at IBS that focused on innovative technologies, workforce housing, and comparative building techniques. One session, Innovative Building Tools & Technologies for Building Better Homes, showcased emerging tools and technologies that improve construction efficiency and quality while reducing costs. Experts demonstrated advancements in prefabrication, robotics, and 3D printing technologies that align with HUD's goal of leveraging innovation to expand affordable housing options. Another session, Build Workforce Housing in Your Community with Modular Construction, explored how modular construction can address the growing demand for workforce housing. Panelists shared successful case studies that emphasized the importance of partnerships among local governments, developers, and community organizations to scale modular approaches effectively.

PD&R also attended Innovation in Action – A Case Study on a Panelized Building System. The session highlighted how panelized systems can reduce construction timelines, enhance quality control, and lower costs, making them particularly effective in disaster-prone areas where speed and durability are critical. Finally, a session called Framing the American Dream: A Real-World Side-by-Side Comparison of Stick vs. Component offered a data-driven analysis comparing traditional stick-built homes with component-based systems. The session's findings on cost, speed, and performance differences provided valuable information for PD&R's ongoing research into cost-effective construction strategies. Collectively, these sessions offered actionable knowledge that will inform HUD's efforts to integrate industrialized construction methods into federally funded housing programs and drive future innovations in affordable housing.

HUD and the Future of Housing Innovation

PD&R's attendance at the 2025 IBS is an example of the agency's commitment to housing innovation. PD&R staff made connections with industry leaders, explored new technologies, and worked to identify scalable solutions for affordable housing. The insights gained at IBS will inform HUD's policies, programs, and partnerships and help the agency prepare for the 2025 IHS.