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It is a tremendous honor to serve as President of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC) Having spent my career building in the Charleston region, which has been one of the fastest-growing and most heavily regulated housing markets in the state I have seen firsthand both the opportunity and the challenges facing our industry I am proud to represent builders across South Carolina as we work together to protect housing opportunity for current and future generations

The mission of HBASChas never been more important. We exist to advocate for policies that allow homes to be built responsibly, efficiently, and affordably, while supporting the men and women who make up South Carolina?s residential construction industry. As our state continues to grow, the need for attainable housing, regulatory certainty, and a skilled workforce must remain front and center.

Across South Carolina, housing affordability is being squeezed from every direction, rising material costs, labor shortages, insurance pressures, permitting delays, and layers of fees and regulations that often have little connection to actual infrastructure needs. In coastal communities like Charleston, these pressures are amplified by environmental regulations, infrastructure constraints, and inconsistent local processes. The result is the same everywhere: higher costs that are ultimately borne by homebuyers.

HBASC?s advocacy has proven that smart, focused engagement works Over the past year, your association delivered meaningful legislative and regulatory wins while successfully pushing back against policies that would have made housing more expensive and less attainable Those efforts saved tens of thousands of dollars per home and reinforced an essential principle: if a project meets published standards, it should be approved without delay or political interference

Looking ahead, our priorities are clear.

First, we must continue the fight for legal and regulatory predictability Builders and developers cannot operate in an environment where rules change mid-stream, approvals are delayed indefinitely, or liability exposure has no clear endpoint Completing comprehensive tort reform and securing reasonable guardrails on issues like concurrency and impact fees are essential to keeping housing within reach for working families

Second, we must double down on workforce development. Every home begins with skilled labor, and without a strong pipeline of trades professionals, no policy reform will matter. Programs like Be Pro Be Proud SCare critical investments in the future of our industry and our state?s economy, and HBASCwill continue to champion careers in construction as viable, respected, and rewarding paths.

Third, member engagement matters more than ever The strength of this association is not measured solely by legislation passed or stopped, but by the involvement of its members Showing up locally, recruiting new members, supporting the SCBuilders PAC, and telling our story in communities across the state When policymakers hear directly from builders, trades, realtors and suppliers who are living these issues every day, it changes the conversation

I also want to highlight an important resource that puts numbers behind the challenges we face every day. The HBASCSCHome Attainability Index tracks housing affordability across all 46 counties each quarter. The data is sobering: more than 60 percent of South Carolina families cannot afford the median-priced home in their county. That statistic is not a talking point. It is a call to action, and it should inform every policy conversation we have at the local and state level.

A full legislative wrap-up for the 2026 session will be coming from HBASCDirector of Government Affairs Alicia Hutto. That report will detail the wins, the setbacks, and the unfinished work we carry into next session. Watch for it soon.

Looking ahead to October, I hope every member will join us for the 2026 HBASCState Convention, October 8 through 11 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa This year?s program is one of our strongest On Friday, Dave Mitchell of The Leadership Difference will deliver the keynote, bringing a message that is directly applicable to anyone leading a team or growing a business in today?s market On Saturday, Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB Assistant Vice President for Forecasting and Analysis, will provide the economic and housing market outlook our members need to plan ahead The convention will also include a class reviewing the 2024 International Residential Code changes that take effect in January 2027 If you build in South Carolina, that session is not one to miss Sponsorship and registration information is available from HBASCstaff

South Carolina?s growth is a sign of success. Families want to live here, businesses want to invest here, and communities want to thrive. Our responsibility is to ensure that growth is met with housing policies that are fair, balanced, and grounded in reality and not fear of change or bureaucratic overreach.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to working alongside our board, staff, and members statewide. Together, we will continue to advocate for common-sense solutions, protect the ability to build, and ensure that the dream of homeownership remains attainable in every corner of South Carolina.

Doug James, 2026 President

Our 2026 Hammer & Trowel Recipient is

Representative Steve Long

Representative Long has been a strong advocate for the residential construction industry, playing a key role in advancing legislation that supports both home building and expanded homeownership opportunities for the citizens of South Carolina. He has been a dedicated champion of the industry?s priorities and a leader in promoting affordable housing initiatives. Representative Long has consistently demonstrated his support for the Home Builders Association and remains a valued ally to our industry.

A Brief Explanat ion of t he Housing Affordabilit

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We apologize for t he om ission of an aw ard w inner announcem ent and w ould like t o t ake t his opport unit y t o properly recognize t he recipient .