NBN Online for the week of September 19, 2005

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In This Issue:

Front Page
Extraordinary Measures Needed to Spur Rebuilding
NAHB Provides Relief, Resources for Hurricane Victims and Displaced Builders
Coast to Coast
Paying for Flood Damage Looms as Big Challenge
Politics & Government
Builders Urge Reform of Immigration Laws
Economics & Finance
Record Damage to Homes to Tighten Material Supplies
Fed Chairman's Housing Comments Refuted on New NAHB Blog
Eye on the Economy
Codes and Standards
Energy Code Rollback Campaign Down to the Wire
Tips
Builders' Tip: Fitting Pulldown Attic Stairs
Business Management
Improve Your Business, Follow These Basic Principles (Part 2)
Custom Builder Symposium Now in Atlanta
Construction Safety
Safety Resources Provided for Katrina Recovery Workers
50Plus Housing
2006 Seniors Housing Awards Entries Due Sept. 30
Remodelers
Puzzle Winners to Receive Free PREP Assessment
Sales
How to Create Effective Home Pages
Deadline Nears for The Nationals Awards
Education
Education Calendar
Green Building
NAHB Co-Sponsors Collegiate Solar Home Competition
Legal
Building Industry Protected From Endless Liability Periods
Builders Show
Advanced Registration Deadline for Sunbelt Nears
Building Systems
Systems-Built SHOWCASE Relocates to Louisville
Atlanta Condo Using Tunnelform Construction System
Water Loss a Warm-Weather Concern for Mortar
Workforce housing
Affordable Homes Aimed at Workers in Trenton
Labor
Kansas City Builders Assess Students’ Carpentry Skills
Building Products
New Way of Cooking on National Tour
TV
NAHB-Produced Shows on HGTV & DIY — This Week
Association News
Kentucky Builders Train Latino Carpenters
September Is Associate Appreciation Month
Subscribe Your Employees — You Could Win a Digital Camera
Save on Dell™ Computer Products
Save More With BuilderBooks.com Rewards
Calendar of Events

Top Story

Extraordinary Measures Needed to Spur Rebuilding

NAHB last week offered Congress several recommendations on how to address the immediate critical housing needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees and the long-term reconstruction of housing infrastructure and supply in the aftermath of the storm’s extraordinary devastation.

NAHB President David Wilson urged the federal government to partner with the building industry to tackle the monumental rebuilding efforts.

“The task of rebuilding is unprecedented, with more than a million people homeless or displaced,” Wilson told members of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. “While NAHB understands the immediate need to build temporary housing quickly, ultimately, it is important that quality housing is rebuilt and that community character is restored to affected neighborhoods.”
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Framing Lumber Composite $ 403 up $ 6
OSB Composite $ 444 up $ 27
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 606 up $ 23
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com
 

NAHB Provides Relief, Resources for Hurricane Victims and Displaced Builders

NAHB launched a multi-pronged relief and rebuilding effort to assist Hurricane Katrina victims — both the general public and building industry members — just days after the hurricane came ashore and devastated the Gulf Coast, killing hundreds, destroying or damaging hundreds of thousands of homes and leaving 1 million people homeless.

To address immediate and critical housing and humanitarian needs, NAHB last week donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Contributions of $500,000 were made to each relief organization.

[MORE]

Housing Snapshot

Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 5.74% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.32% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.26%
  1 Yr. ARM: 4.46% Libor (3 months): 3.92% Prime: 6.50%
Housing Starts*  (July 2005)
  Total: 2.042 million Single: 1.711 million Multi: 331,000
Home Sales*  (July 2005)
  New: 1.410 million Existing: 7.16 million  
Median Home Prices  (July 2005)
  New: $203,800 Existing: $218,000  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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