Homeownership in Q1 Posted Modest Decline, Though Up YOY
Charlotte, NC, April 30, 2026-On April 28, the Census Bureau released its Q1 homeownership rate data, which indicated a modest sequential decline and modest year-over-year (YOY) improvement.
Today's Flooring News
Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.
NTCA Announces May 2026 Program and Workshop Schedule
Jackson, MS, April 30, 2026— The National Tile Contractors’ Association (NTCA) has announced its regional programs and workshops during May.
Housing Starts Rose 10.8% in March
Washington, DC, April 29, 2026—Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,502,000, 10.8% above the revised February estimate of 1,356,000 and 10.8% above the March 2025 rate of 1,355,000.
Mortgage Applications Declined 1.6% in Week Ending April 24
Washington, DC, April 29, 2026—Mortgage applications decreased 1.6% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 24, 2026.
NeoCon Announces New Events for 2026 Expo
Chicago, IL, April 29, 2026—NeoCon, the commercial design event slated for June 8 to 10 at The Mart in Chicago, unveils a schedule of events and experiences centered on the 2026 theme: “Where Design Connects.”
Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 0.8% in March
Washington, DC, April 29, 2026—New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.6 billion or 0.8% to $318.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced
RFCI Adds LX Hausys as Member
La Grange, GA, April 29, 2026-LX Hausys has joined the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) as an associate manufacturer member.
NALFA Adds Floor Covering Inspectors International as Member
Springfield, MA, April 29, 2026—The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) added the Institute for Floor Covering Inspectors International (IFCII) as its newest member, expanding the association’s expertise in inspection, training, and industry standards.
Home Prices Rose 0.7% YOY in February, Says Case-Shiller
New York, NY, April 28, 2026—The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 0.7% annual gain for February.
Population Growth Slowed in 2025 with Expansion of Only 0.5%
Washington, DC, April 28, 2026—U.S. population growth slowed notably in the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, with the nation expanding by just 0.5% in 2025, roughly half the pace of the prior year.