Nation's Building News Online

Plain Text Version (Click Here for Graphical Version)

Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans National Builder Division

www.NAHB.org
Week of April 5, 2004

Front Page

President's Message

* For Working Families, Affordable Housing Is in Short Supply

Housing Politics

* President Bush Stumps for Housing in New Mexico
* Senate Confirmation of Jackson as HUD Secretary Applauded

Environment

* Decision on Storm Water Runoff Saves Housing Industry $3.5 Billion Annually
* Builders Blast Inconsistencies in Wetlands Regulation

State and Local

* Notice and Opportunity to Repair Laws Continue to Gain Ground

Business Management

* Strange Behavior May Be Tip-Off to Possible Fraud

Smart Growth

* Recognition Awards a Boost for Smart Growth Projects
* Builders Can Find Big Advantages in Smaller Lots

Design

* Design the Focus of Symposium on Affordable Housing

Green Building

* Puget Sound Home Demonstrates Green Building Concepts

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Show Off That Job Well Done to Get New Customers

Multifamily

* Pillars of the Industry Awards Recognize Achievement in Multifamily Housing
* Seattle Apartments Named ‘Project of the Year’ in Pillars Awards

Member Dividends

* Washington Builders Defeat Mandatory Fire Sprinklers Proposal

Women's Council

* Marketing Yourself: Starting Your New Career

Building Products

* Impact-Certified Window Boasts Traditional Good Looks

Builder's Engineer

* Take the Test of Time

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Help Available for Members Who Host Radio, TV Shows
* April Is New Homes Month
* Sign Up for the Legislative Conference and Make Housing a Priority in Congress
* Help Build This Year’s Family Build Home for a Mother of Three
* Share Your Knowledge and Expertise
* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

President Bush Stumps for Housing in New Mexico

President Bush met with builders, first-time home buyers and local officials and citizens in Albuquerque on March 26 to discuss the Administration’s efforts to promote homeownership.

In an outdoor address at the Expo New Mexico state fairgrounds, Bush publicly thanked the members of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico for their work in housing their community.

The President cited several areas that are also important NAHB priorities: enacting a homeownership tax credit to provide incentives to produce an additional 200,000 affordable homes over five years; making zero downpayment loans possible for those whose mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Administration; adopting regulatory reform to save small businesses money and eliminate needless paperwork; instituting association health plans for small businesses so that they can pool their risk and find affordable insurance; and passing class action tort reform legislation in Congress.

Stressing the importance of an ownership society, Bush said: “We want more people owning something because when someody owns something, they have a vital stake in the future of the country. The more people who own their home, the better off America is. And we’re making good progress. Our nation’s 68% homeownership rate is the highest ever. More people own homes now than ever before in the country’s history, and that’s exciting for the future of America.”


Sponsored by: Countrywide Home Loans

Discover how our affiliate LandSafe® can provide high-value-added real estate closing services.
See how Countrywide's 80/20 Loan Program eliminates down payment requirements for qualified borrowers.

Still, the President acknowledged there’s a homeownership gap that exists for minorities, and said that there has been significant progress since he announced in June 2002 a goal of adding 5.5 million new minority home owners in America by the end of the decade.

“Since then, more than 1.5 million minority families have moved into houses of their own. And for the first time, most minorities own their own home,” he said.

Bush shared a conversation he had with Lori Benavidez, a single mother who recently moved into her own home in Albuquerque with the help of a federal homeownership program.

“Here’s what Lori said: ‘I never thought the day would happen when my girls and I would be sitting in our own home. It’s a miracle.’”

Homeownership was high on the White House agenda last month. President Bush made similar stops in Pennsylvania and Arizona to tout the benefits of housing and discussed homeownership in a national radio address on March 27.
[ Go to Top ]


Sponsored by: National Association of Home Builders

Members Save at BuilderBooks.com
Reach 100,000+ Builders & Contractors
Membership has its Advantages
Learn More. Earn More. The NAHB University of Housing.

To unsubscribe or to manage your subscription, CLICK HERE

Nation's Building News Online is produced and distributed by the National Association of Home Builders