NBN Online for the week of May 14, 2007

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
Mild Remodeling Slide Follows in Housing’s Footsteps
Membership Day Webcast Prizes: NASCAR, Harley Davidson, More
$2 Million Just Released: Apply Now for ‘Buy Now’ Ad Grants
Coast to Coast
Lennar Tries Web Auction to Battle Housing Slump
Politics & Government
Senate Sets Aside Two Weeks to Discuss Immigration Reform
South Dakota the 31st State to Enact Construction Defect Law
Plan to Attend the 2007 NAHB Legislative Conference
Economics & Finance
Custom Builders Say They Are Faring Well in Downturn
Eye on the Economy: Buyer Confidence Is Likely Shaken
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Tips
Builders’ Tip: Fast and Accurate Countertop Scribing
Sales
Watermarke: Bold and Big Make a Small Space Live Large
Business Management
With Labor More Plentiful, Raise the Bar for Your Trades
50Plus Housing
CAASH Courses Launched at 50+ Housing Symposium
June 1 Deadline Nears for Livable Communities Awards
Remodelers
Remodelers See Slight Market Erosion in Year's First Quarter
Product Lifespans, Efficiency Key in Kitchen Remodels
Building Systems
Attend the Modular and Panel Plant Tour on May 20-22
Education
New ‘Ask an Expert’ Resource Available for RAMs
'National Designation Month' Attracts 2,000 Students
Education Calendar
Green Building
Majority of Households Recognize Energy Star Label
Conference to Explore Green Affordable Housing Options
2008 Green Building Conference Seeking Speakers
Corporate Leaders See the Value of Green Building
Research
ICC Board Members Tour New Research Center Lab
Design
Apply for HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence
Big John Toilet Seat Designed to Provide Extra Support
Toilet Lid Tattoos Aimed at Do-It-Yourselfers
Design Matters. Register Now for the Design Institute
Workforce housing
Shared-Equity Plans Preserve Affordable Homeownership
Labor
Conference Celebrates Apprenticeship Training
Building Products
OSHA Gives Anthony Forest Products Sixth Safety Award
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV and DIY This Week
Endowment
Mercedes Homes Employees Are Everywhere Helping Out
Association News
Spring Board Meeting Set for June 5-10
Free NAHB ‘Homeownership Month’ Kit Available Online
NAHB Career Center: For a True Competitive Edge
Postal Rate Increase Now in Effect. Are You Ready?
NAHB Spokesperson Training Available at Spring Board
Willams Scotsman: First-Month Storage Container Deals
Drive Away With a Shiny New $500 GM Offer
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Related Articles

Big John Toilet Seat Designed to Provide Extra Support

Toilet Lid Tattoos Aimed at Do-It-Yourselfers

Design Matters. Register Now for the Design Institute

Apply for HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence

Entries are being accepted for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence that recognizes innovation and design excellence in public and private efforts that expand homeownership opportunities for lower-income families.

The registration deadline for award is July 2. Entry notebooks are due by July 16.

The award is part of the 2007 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) competition — the nation’s foremost residential design competition. Co-sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and NAHB, winners will be announced during the 2008 International Builders’ Show, Feb. 13 to 16, in Orlando, Fla.

The HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence recognizes those who, through local partnerships, design, develop and build creative affordable housing for families whose incomes do not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI).

Winners of the award demonstrate design excellence, affordability, innovation in building technology, removal of regulatory barriers and community revitalization.

HUD Award Requirements

The award submission requirements include:

  • Homes completed or for which the first model opened between May 1, 2006 and July 15, 2007 are eligible.

  • In developments with multiple unit types, the affordable unit must be identified and its locations throughout the development must be denoted.

  • Each submission must include a written design statement that illustrates how the project embodies design excellence and exhibits innovation.

  • The submission also must include a written financial statement describing the financing structure of the development —funding sources and uses, mixed-income makeup and families served.


Download an Application

For details on the HUD category and to download the HUD award’s application, visit www.huduser.org/research/secaward.html.

AMI Information

For more information about the AMI in your area, visit www.huduser.org/datasets/il.html. The award also considers the median home price of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for reference.

For more information about AMI, MSA and other HUD category requirements, e-mail Andrea Vrankar at HUD, or call her at 216-522-4058 x7128.

BALA Competition Information

The BALA design competition is open to builders, architects, designers, developers, land planners and interior designers.

The awards program includes 36 categories — from single-family attached and detached in a variety of sizes to rental developments and custom homes plus categories for interior design, communities and neighborhoods, affordable housing, smart growth and the HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence.

For BALA category and registrations, click here. 


Design Matters. Register Now for the Design Institute

In a competitive market, design can be the difference.

At the NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders, the only design conference specifically for building industry professionals, you'll learn the latest in residential housing design trends from the industry's top professionals, tour beautiful award-winning homes and communities that display the best in cutting-edge architectural design, and learn how to profitably apply these design ideas to the homes you build.

The Design Institute will be held June 25-27 in Bellevue, Wash. (near Seattle)

To register and for more information, visit www.nahb.org/designinstitute.


 

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