About CBIA

The Voice of Homebuilding and New Construction in California

The California Building Industry Association is a statewide trade association based in Sacramento representing thousands of member companies including homebuilders, trade contractors, architects, engineers, designers, suppliers and industry professionals in the homebuilding, multi-family and mixed- use development markets. CBIA members build nearly 9 out of 10 new housing units built in California, including charity homes, legally defined as affordable housing, middle-class market-rate housing, and luxury homes.

Our Mission

The California Building Industry Association (CBIA) advocates for policies that support increased housing production of all types to achieve “Housing for All” while also promoting economic growth in the construction sector. The building industry in California has a long history of contributing significantly to the state’s economic strength. In 2021, both the residential and non-residential construction sectors combined to generate over $65 billion in economic activity and provide employment for more than 900,000 workers. However, the industry faces challenges such as barriers to home construction, limited insurance accessibility, and the need for a balanced transition to green energy to meet housing demand and climate goals. California is currently experiencing a housing policy crisis due to costly and restrictive construction policies, leading to increased rent and home prices. To combat this, the state needs to build more than 2.5 million homes by 2030 to address this housing shortage.

Our Future

What’s in store for housing and CBIA in the next 75 years? Homeownership will remain a foundational desire and priority for most Californians and CBIA is prepared to continue engaging with our legislators to ensure more Californians have a place to call home.

CBIA represents the interests of professionals in the housing, commercial, mixed-use development industry. The Association has been instrumental in furthering state policies that:

• Simplify or eliminate restrictive, costly building regulations and introduce more flexibility into land use decisions.
• Balance the concern for the environment and energy conservation with the need for affordable housing.
• Ensure that reasonable growth and development is both planned for and encouraged.
• Bolster the state’s economic growth.

Our History

The California Building Industry Association was established in 1943 as a federation of local and regional associations representing builders at the state level. For years, the group functioned solely as a lobbying organization. In 1952, the organization incorporated as the California Home Builders Council and, in 1968, changed its name to the California Builders Council.

In 1977, following an extensive review by outside consultants and an internal evaluation committee, the organization underwent a major reorganization. The federation became a full-service state level association and is managed by a Chief Executive Officer. The organization’s name was changed in 1978 to the California Building Industry Association. There are now 10 regional affiliates.

Since the reorganization, CBIA has grown to include legislative, technical, communications, and membership departments. A political action committee and two subsidiary organizations have been established.