This news wrap-up drops every Wednesday. Subscribe, share, and help us grow the Green Builder Media Network! In this episode of This Week's Sustainable Building News, Cati O’Keefe breaks down the most important housing and building news shaping the industry right now. 

This episode covers: 

• New York City’s adoption of updated Energy Conservation and Existing Building Codes.
• The FRAMER Act and the debate over whether affordability means lower first cost or lower lifetime cost.
• Ron Jones’ response to deregulation and what leadership looks like in moments of consequence (featured video commentary).
• The emerging “Trump Homes” rent-to-own proposal and the unanswered questions surrounding it.
• The 2026 METROPOLIS Interface U.S. Sustainable Design Report and what it signals for architecture and resilience 
• Matt Power’s video on a surprising place home buyers lose money when buying an existing homes. 
• EPA signals around PM2.5 air quality standards—and why buildings are becoming the last line of defense. 
• Why USGlass Magazine calls the building envelope “life-safety infrastructure.” 
• A 3D-printed housing community in Texas that could shift construction timelines and labor dynamics. 
• This week’s COGNITION Hot Take: Why ESG is quietly embedding itself deeper into corporate strategy. 

Plus: 

 • Next Generation Water Summit 

 • Webinar Archive 

 • Subscribe to Our Vantage Newsletter to stay on top of news and trends 

 • Learn more about this podcast