Despite solid income gains and lower home prices, Americans still continue to face major housing affordability challenges, according to the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). The CHI results from the first quarter of 2025 show that a family earning the nation’s median income of $104,200 needed 36% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning only 50% of median income, would have to spend 72% of their earnings. …“While affordability registered slight gains, the Cost of Housing Index clearly shows the need for policymakers to take action,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes. “Eliminating burdensome regulations, ending tariffs on Canadian lumber and other building materials, providing funding to promote careers in the skilled trades and expediting approvals for affordable projects will allow builders to construct more homes.”