Outside of the Federation’s top advocacy priorities in the trade, tariff, and Farm Bill spaces, the team has been active trying to find legislative avenues to create additional domestic markets of U.S. grown and manufactured hardwood products. One area that is receiving considerable attention both on Capitol Hill and in the Administration is housing, specifically, proposals that seek to grow housing “new starts” and make the prospect of owning a home a reality for first time homebuyers. Late last year, bipartisan legislation almost became law that would have significantly moved the needle on a number of housing policy areas, including housing supply expansion, homeownership, manufactured housing, disaster recovery, rental assistance, veterans’ housing, and rural housing. That bill, S.2651 known as the ROAD to Housing Act (Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025) was in play as part of last year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) but did not survive the final negotiation before the NDAA bill cleared Congress and was signed by the President. 

Led by the unlikely duo of Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, respectively, the legislation would have authorized several new initiatives, among them:
 Creation of an Innovation Fund, which is a competitive pot of highly flexible funding for communities that are building more housing supply, to be used to improve community infrastructure, housing construction, and supplement water and sewer grants.

 Establishment of a HUD-administered grant program to help communities establish preapproved housing designs, or pattern books, to help streamline and expedite local construction processes and build more homes.
 A directive for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to study multifamily loan limits and adjust those limits to better match housing market costs and enhance affordability.

The bill also included several regulatory reform measures to expedite local construction processes. While this measure did not become law, we expect focus will remain on this legislation and that it will be a priority for any moving legislative vehicles this year.

In addition to the ROAD to Housing Act, bipartisan legislation is pending in both the House and Senate that looks to increase housing starts and make home ownership more accessible. The legislation (S. 1686 and H.R. 2854) is the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA) and is led by Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA). 
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In many areas of the country, the cost to build or rehab a home exceeds the price at which the home could be sold once completed. The NHIA establishes a new tax credit that would help fill that “value gap” for developers, thus reducing their risk of loss and encouraging investments in new and rehabbed housing. The goal for this tax credit is to make homeownership more feasible and support broader revitalization and economic development strategies in disinvested urban and rural communities. The Neighborhood Coalition—one of the supporters of the bill—estimates that, if enacted, NHIA could result in 500,000 new starter homes nationwide. 

Because NHIA focuses exclusively on single to 4-family unit structures, the impact on dimensional lumber and other wood products manufacturers could be considerable. Depending on the type of home built, Forest Economic Advisors estimates that this bill alone could result in an additional 7 billion to 10 billion board feet of demand. The Hardwood Federation team has been meeting with the bill sponsors to explore options for including hardwood-specific language in the measure. Evidently, a modified version of the bill is being developed and will be made available sometime early this year. 

President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) the week of January 19 that would discourage large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes that would otherwise be bought by individuals or families. We understand that a follow-up EO is in the works that would attempt to address housing supply and affordability and should come out any day now. We will provide an update once that Order has been issued. 

Both parties are and will continue to be battling to win the narrative around “affordability,” and the volume level will only increase the closer we get to the midterm elections in November. Making housing and home renovation accessible to middle-and low-income earners is a key component in this debate and will be a focus in Washington in the coming months. The Hardwood Federation team is looking opportunistically at proposals discussed above and those yet to be introduced to secure hardwood forest product-specific provisions in these measures so that new homes and renovation projects resulting from these initiatives deliver real value both to the consumer and the domestic manufacturers that make these renewable and sustainable products every day.   

Lindstrom, MN – Each year, the WCMA looks forward to connecting with members, non-members, and tech partners during the WoodTech Connect Event, sharing best practices and exchanging ideas on manufacturing-related issues. This year, the WCMA is holding its WoodTech Connect event in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area May 11-13. 

The highlight of WoodTech Connect will be the off-site plant tours to nearby manufacturing facilities on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13. The plants the group will tour are KI in Bonduel, Cruiser Yachts in Pulaski, Valley Custom Door in DePere, Green Bay Packaging in Green Bay, Granite Valley Forest Products in New London, Oshkosh Door in Oshkosh, and Elipticon Wood Products in Kimberly. With such an outstanding lineup, you won’t want to miss this event!
 
The event is also an exceptional opportunity for wood component and dimension manufacturers and importers of woodworking machinery and equipment to network, make valuable contacts, and learn more about industry trends while helping their bottom line.
 
Event Details and Registration can be found at www.wcma.com. Those planning to attend should also make their hotel reservations by April 28 at the Hotel Northland in Green Bay by calling the hotel directly at (920) 393-7499 or visiting the event hotel reservation page here.  

​Over the past year, WCMA made some meaningful pivots that I expect will be beneficial in 2026. Moving our Annual Conference & Plant Tour event to the spring eased crowded fall schedules, and repeating the single-day Spotlight Tour in 2025 added another clear must-attend event to our calendar. I have every reason to believe that those who join us in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in May 2026 will be glad they did. The conference is something we can look forward to regardless of uncertainties within the industry. Although there may not be much more clarity by then, I hope that won’t prevent us from getting together, asking questions, and trying to get each other’s perspectives.

At the same time, WCMA membership continues to deliver real value. Beyond the signature plant tour events, members benefit from the power of networking—connecting with peers, suppliers, and partners who share insights and solutions that help us all move forward. In 2026, WCMA is planning expanded access to education through a series of webinars hosted by members, tech partners, and industry colleagues, ensuring that knowledge and expertise are available year-round.

We’re also proud to represent our members at IWF2026 in August, where WCMA will continue to elevate the voice of it’s members and the wood components industry. In conjunction with IWF this year, we’ll release a new WCMA Buyer’s Guide, a resource designed to strengthen connections between manufacturers, suppliers, and customers.
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In uncertain times, these touchpoints—events, representation, education, and networking—are what make WCMA membership so valuable. They provide clarity where there is confusion, community where there is isolation, and opportunity where there is challenge.
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As we step into 2026, I encourage you to stay engaged, renew your membership, and take full advantage of the resources WCMA offers. Together, we can navigate uncertainty and find our path forward.

As we approach the new year, WCMA would like to remind members that annual membership renewal notices will be sent via email on January 1, 2026.

This renewal period is the perfect opportunity to:

• Update your company profile to ensure accurate information in WCMA’s records.
• Select the dues option that best fits your needs—annual, quarterly, or monthly.
• Consider becoming a supporter of the Real American Hardwood Coalition, helping to strengthen our industry’s voice and visibility.

Your timely renewal ensures continued access to WCMA’s networking, advocacy, and educational resources. If you need assistance with the renewal process, please contact WCMA staff at 651-332-6332 or email us at [email protected].
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We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to another year of collaboration and growth.

WMCA Involvement

The WCMA is a founding member of the Real American Hardwood Coalition. WCMA Executive Director, Amy Snell, serves on the board of directors, and advocates on behalf of WCMA members. All WCMA members are encouraged to download and use the RAHC logo, which helps with consumer recognition and acceptance. ​

• Include the RAHC logo on advertising, packaging, point of sale materials, and even invoices and business cards 
• Build connection to the campaign online - link your company website and social media platforms to RealAmericanHardwood.com and follow the campaign's social media channels
• Use Real American Hardwood content to strengthen your company's website and social media

If you would like to become an active part of the Coalition, support the initiative financially, or have questions, please visit the industry website at www.RealAmericanHardwood.com or reach out via email to [email protected].

• Save the Date: ​WoodTech Connect 2026
• ​May 11-13 | Green Bay, Wisconsin  -
• Hosted at Hotel Northland in Green Bay’s historic downtown district

Get ready to connect, explore, and be inspired!  
WoodTech Connect 2026—WCMA’s signature annual conference and plant tour event—is heading to Green Bay, WI this spring.

We’re thrilled to announce that two outstanding WCMA members, Elipticon Wood Products and Valley Custom Door, will open their doors for exclusive plant tours. Additional tour stops are being finalized and will be announced soon.

What to Expect:  
- A full day and a half of plant tours showcasing cutting-edge technology and craftsmanship  
- Unmatched networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers  
- A front-row seat to the innovation shaping the future of woodworking  
- A stay at the elegant Hotel Northland, blending modern comfort with historic charm

Mark your calendar now—May 11–13, 2026
You won’t want to miss this much-anticipated event!