NBN Online for the week of August 6, 2007

Homeland Security Crackdown on Illegal Workers Imminent

With Congress failing to act on immigration reform, recent news reports from the Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times indicate that the Bush Administration is now planning a new crackdown on illegal immigrants, which could force millions of business owners to either fire them or face heavy fines and even imprisonment.

Any day now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to issue new rules on how employers must respond if they receive a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that a worker’s name or Social Security number does not match agency records.

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Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths

Housing Career Path Starts With CD-ROM and Building Doghouses

A “Building Homes of Our Own” computer competition was among the activities used by the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties in Washington at their recent annual career fair to stimulate student interest in the housing industry.

Available at no cost to classroom educators, public libraries, association members and affiliated associations,  NAHB’s “Building Homes of Our Own” CD-ROM provides students with an understanding of the home building and buying process, an introduction to careers and lessons in community responsibility as they design, construct and sell a 3-D home.

‘Buy Now’ Campaign Helps Boost Activity in Smaller Michigan Market

The “Buy Now” campaign launched by the Home Builders Association of Midland County in Michigan, with funding from NAHB’s “Buy Now” Advertising Assistance Program, has been a hit with the HBA’s membership as activity in the Midland market has increased.

NAHB’s program provides advertising grants to qualifying HBAs hit hard by the housing downturn.

“It’s hard to say that it’s all because of the campaign,” said the HBA’s executive officer, Connie Valliere. “But our builders and remodelers have been busy and models are selling at our parade of homes. There is definitely increased activity.”  

The HBA’s campaign, a two-week run of radio and newspaper advertising, featured the message “It’s a Great Time to Buy, Build or Improve.”

“Michigan has been really hard hit,” said Valliere. “We really felt it was important to get across the message that it’s never been a better time to invest in a home, whether it meant buying one, building one or improving one.”