Why the U.S. Housing Market is Broken (with Sam Rashkin)

Structure Talk

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/qaISUXRUJrQ
In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Sam Rashkin, former Chief Architect for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office and creator of the Energy Star for Homes and Zero Energy Ready Home programs. Sam shares his journey into the housing industry, his passion for sustainable building, and his insights into why the U.S. housing market is fundamentally broken. The conversation dives deep into housing affordability, productivity challenges, regulatory barriers, and the transformative potential of advanced manufacturing in home construction. Sam also discusses the importance of purpose, resilience, and the need for a national roadmap to fix the housing crisis.
Here's the link to Inspector Empire Builder: https://www.iebcoaching.com/events
Check Sam's LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-rashkin-1684582/
To check his book on Amazon, click here: https://amzn.to/4nhU5nH

Takeaways
Sam Rashkin’s early passion for housing led him to a career in architecture and energy-efficient building.
The U.S. housing market is broken due to a growing disconnect between home prices and median income.
Productivity in the housing industry has declined over the past 150 years, with little innovation in construction methods.
Advanced manufacturing and factory-built homes, as seen in countries like Sweden, offer a model for cost-effective, high-quality housing.
Regulatory complexity and lack of a national building code hinder innovation and scalability in the U.S.
Labor shortages and aging workforce are exacerbating the housing crisis.
Sam advocates for a national attic upgrade program as a low-hanging fruit for energy efficiency improvements.
Emotional connection and simplicity in consumer-facing metrics (e.g., star ratings for home energy scores) can drive better decision-making.
Resilience and disaster preparedness must be prioritized in housing design, especially in high-risk areas.
A collaborative, stakeholder-driven roadmap is essential to transform the housing industry.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Sponsors
01:35 – Guest Introduction: Sam Rashkin
04:06 – Sam’s Journey into Housing and Architecture
06:45 – The Power of Purpose and Personal Stories
11:18 – Why the U.S. Housing Market is Broken
15:48 – Housing 2.0 and the Need for Disruption
17:42 – Lack of Innovation in Home Construction
20:43 – Customization vs. Standardization in Homebuilding
23:50 – Lessons from Sweden: Factory-Built Homes
33:05 – Labor Shortages and Immigration Challenges
37:29 – The Future of Home Inspection
41:18 – Creating a National Roadmap for Housing Reform
44:07 – The Role of Building Codes and Regulation
50:11 – Insurance Costs and Resilience
55:06 – Government Programs and Hypocrisy in Efficiency
56:29 – Shifting Perspectives and Asking the Right Questions
57:51 – The Need for Change and Sam’s Call to A