“Let Builders Build” Campaign Highlights Kansas City’s Housing Affordability Crisis

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City launched its “Let Builders Build” campaign in August 2025, urging policymakers to ease costly regulations and zoning barriers as median new-home prices rise to $524,012 — making a six-figure household income necessary to afford a typical new build in Kansas City.

Why the Campaign Matters

KCHBA argues that complex processes, expensive requirements, and zoning restrictions are slowing home construction and pushing affordability out of reach for many families. Executive Vice President Will Ruder emphasized the need to address “costly development standards and disconnected decision-making.”

The State of Kansas City’s Housing Market

• Median Price: $524,012 for new-build homes (July 2025).
• Income Barrier: Households now need six-figure incomes to afford median-priced new construction.
• Permits: Housing permits increased 5% across eight metro counties in the first half of 2025.
• Policy Tensions: Builders remain critical of stricter energy codes adopted in 2023.

National Context

Nationally, homebuilder sentiment has dropped to its lowest point since 2022. The biggest challenges cited: affordability, high mortgage rates, and burdensome land-use regulations.

FAQs on “Let Builders Build” and KC Housing