Affordable Housing Leader to Steer Homebuilding's Political Machine

IRVINE, CA – March 02, 2026 – In a significant move for the American housing industry, Will Cooper, Jr., the President and CEO of affordable housing giant WNC, has been appointed Chairman of BUILD-PAC. This bipartisan political action committee is the influential advocacy arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), tasked with electing pro-housing, pro-business candidates to federal office. The appointment places a seasoned leader with a deep-rooted focus on housing affordability at the helm of a powerful political force just as the nation grapples with a severe housing crisis and heads into a contentious mid-term election cycle.

Cooper was officially installed as Chairman on February 18 during the NAHB's 2026 International Builders' Show in Orlando, Florida. His tenure is set to guide the organization's political strategy through the crucial upcoming elections and will last until the next builders' show in 2027.

A New Voice for a Powerful PAC

As Chairman, Cooper will preside over the BUILD-PAC Board of Trustees, a body composed of over 100 members representing every state. His role involves providing strategic leadership and shaping the committee's engagement with NAHB members, industry stakeholders, and, most importantly, federal policymakers on Capitol Hill. BUILD-PAC's influence is substantial; by supporting candidates who understand the complexities of the housing market, it directly impacts legislation affecting everything from tax codes and environmental laws to building codes and housing finance. The NAHB estimates its advocacy efforts save builders thousands of dollars per housing start, underscoring the tangible financial impact of its political engagement.

Cooper, who has served as a BUILD-PAC Trustee for over a decade, steps into the role with a clear understanding of its importance.

"I am honored to be installed as the 2026 Chairman of BUILD-PAC, one of the most influential political organizations in housing," Cooper stated in a release. "I'm proud to advance the mission as Chairman during one of the most consequential mid-term cycles in years. Elections matter and have a lasting impact on housing policy and home building. That's why it is so important for NAHB and the entire industry to be engaged in the political process every step of the way."

An Affordable Housing Champion at the Helm

Cooper’s appointment is particularly noteworthy due to his extensive background in a specialized and critically needed segment of the market: affordable housing. He leads WNC, a firm founded in 1971 that has become a pioneer in the sector. Since its inception, WNC has acquired over $21.5 billion in affordable housing properties, a portfolio that has created or preserved more than 120,000 affordable rental units across 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company's recent activity shows an accelerating pace, with over $2.2 billion in acquisitions in 2025 alone.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Cooper co-founded and serves as President of the Cooper Housing Institute, a non-profit foundation dedicated to ending the nation's housing affordability and homelessness crises. The institute supports innovative research and public awareness campaigns to address systemic housing challenges. For instance, its work has highlighted the need for regulatory flexibility and local partnerships to improve the federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which often sees thousands of vouchers go unused despite overwhelming demand. This dual expertise in both private-sector investment and non-profit policy research gives Cooper a unique, multifaceted perspective on America's housing challenges.

Navigating a Critical Policy Landscape

Cooper takes the reins of BUILD-PAC at a critical juncture. The U.S. faces a nationwide housing shortage estimated at 1.5 million units, a deficit that has sent prices and rents soaring. Shelter inflation continues to outpace overall inflation, and nearly a third of all American households are now considered cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing.

In response, the NAHB has outlined a 10-point plan to tackle the crisis, which will invariably form the core of BUILD-PAC's advocacy agenda. The plan focuses heavily on supply-side solutions, urging policymakers to eliminate excessive regulations that the NAHB claims account for nearly 25% of the cost of a new single-family home. Other key priorities include promoting careers in skilled trades to address a persistent labor shortage of 400,000 workers, fixing volatile building material supply chains, and passing federal tax legislation to expand affordable housing production.

Cooper's background aligns seamlessly with these priorities. His public statements have often highlighted how restrictive zoning, environmental laws, and financing barriers limit housing production. His work with the Cooper Housing Institute also directly supports workforce development through analysis of proposals like the DIGNITY Act, aimed at addressing construction labor shortages. His leadership is expected to bring a sharper focus to these issues, leveraging BUILD-PAC's political capital to push for meaningful legislative and regulatory reforms.

The Path Forward for Housing Policy

The convergence of Cooper’s deep expertise in affordable housing with BUILD-PAC’s broad political influence signals a potential intensification of the industry's push for comprehensive housing solutions. While the NAHB has long identified affordability as a key issue, Cooper's leadership could introduce a more nuanced approach. His experience at WNC, a leader in preserving existing affordable communities through tax credit syndication, may elevate the importance of rehabilitation and preservation policies alongside the push for new construction.

Furthermore, his policy work through the Cooper Housing Institute on programs like Housing Choice Vouchers could translate into a more robust advocacy for improving the efficiency and reach of federal rental assistance programs. For millions of Americans priced out of homeownership and struggling with rent, the policies championed by BUILD-PAC under Cooper's guidance could have a direct impact. By focusing on increasing the overall housing supply, reducing the regulatory costs embedded in every new home and apartment, and improving existing federal programs, the organization aims to bend the cost curve for both homebuyers and renters. As the 2026 mid-term elections approach, the housing industry's political strategy will be one to watch, now guided by a leader whose career has been dedicated to the fundamental challenge of putting a roof over every American's head.