The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hosted its sixth annual Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall, welcoming exhibitors and visitors from across the country, including Second Lady Usha Vance, Members of Congress, Cabinet Secretaries, housing industry leaders, media, and members of the public. This year’s Showcase, themed “Made in America,” commemorated America’s 250th birthday in partnership with Freedom250, spotlighted private sector ingenuity driving the American Dream of homeownership, and hosted the first-ever Showcase Trades Day to inspire the next generation of skilled trades workers.
The Innovative Housing Showcase was sponsored by the International Code Council (ICC), Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Rocket, and Structural Building Components Association (SBCA).
“Innovation in housing has been an integral part of the American Dream of homeownership for 250 years and beyond,” said Secretary Turner. “The story of American home innovation is a long and rich one. This year’s Showcase demonstrated that story being written on the National Mall—through manufactured, 3D-printed, and smart homes, and many other technological advancements on display. Thank you to our sponsors for making this Showcase possible. Under President Trump’s leadership the future of American housing is bright.”
HUD kicked off its Showcase with Trades Day. Secretary Turner connected students with skilled trades professionals and hands-on opportunities in the housing and construction industries.
Designed to equip the next generation of American workers, Trades Day offered live hands-on demonstrations, educational activities, and opportunities for students to learn directly from industry professionals. Trades Day presenters included Housing Innovation Alliance, Home Builders Institute, and Meritage Homes.
Innovative Housing Showcase Exhibitors who hosted Trades Day activities and highlighted career opportunities in the industry included Structural Building Components Association, Champion Homes, Cavco Homes and UMH Properties, Azure Printed Homes, Oak Ridge National Lab/National Lab of the Rockies, Housing Innovation Alliance and Housing Innovation Challenge, Civic Saint, and Verustruct.
Secretary Turner and Education Secretary McMahon spoke to high school and trade school students who are interested in pursuing careers in the trades industry. They encouraged students to stay engaged, emphasizing the value of diverse educational pathways, such as vocational training, as well as the important role the next generation of skilled workers will play in increasing our nation’s housing supply.
Secretary Turner and Deputy Secretary Hughes hosted a roundtable with senior HUD officials and housing industry leaders to discuss the industry’s barriers to scaling their businesses, innovative zoning modifications, access to capital and production, and bringing down the cost of homeownership in America.
In his remarks, Secretary Turner highlighted the power of American innovation on display and how this ingenuity will foster more homeownership opportunities for hardworking Americans.
Sponsors, including Dr. Lesli Gooch of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), Molly Butz of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA), Bill Owens of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Ryan Colker of the International Code Council (ICC), and Hilary Halpern of Rocket, spoke about how their organizations are using innovative solutions to make the American Dream of homeownership more attainable.
DoBu showcased their new technology and interactive analysis. They demonstrated how Super Intelligence gathers qualitative information and helps home builders, developers, and government agencies make well-informed and up-to-date decisions.
Real Torch presented their Super Intelligence research agent, explaining how it helps housing professionals explore markets nationwide and makes housing research faster and more accessible.
Senior HUD officials held six expert-led discussions that highlighted current successes and future opportunities for the housing industry. The panel topics highlighted Opportunity Zones, technological innovations, housing supply, and other key issues in the housing industry. Nineteenth HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson discussed the history of American innovation and the importance of continued American ingenuity to expand homeownership.
Watch the panels below: