Lumber costs have increased rapidly in the last year, and two congressmen are calling for a legislative solution. Representatives Jim Costa (D-California) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) have sent a letter to President Biden to intervene, asserting that rising building materials costs and supply shortages could derail economic recovery and pressure an already constrained housing market.

"Unfortunately, this unprecedented price increase on new homeowners, as well as home builders, will persist until new sawmills come online and current mills re-open and operate at full capacity," the two congressmen wrote in the letter, which requested the administration connect with all stakeholders, including sawmills, home builders, loggers and distributors, to find an appropriate solution.

The National Association of Home Builders echoes the call for administrative action. According to the organization, lumber costs have tripled since April 2020, increasing the cost of construction on a standard single-family home by $24,000. NAHB is also requesting the Commerce Department investigate the issue, including the low levels of lumber production and sawmill output despite the high demand for product.