NBN Online for the week of August 13, 2007

Age-Qualified Adult Housing Has Some Growing Up to Do

The aging of the baby boomers and the rising share of the U.S. population comprised of people who are 55 or older suggest room for significant growth in age-qualified active adult housing, but so far that segment of the marketplace hasn’t reached its potential, according to a special study by NAHB housing analysts Paul Emrath and Helen Fei Liu.

Out of the 69 million owner-occupied housing units in the country, age-qualified active adult housing — communities that generally require residents to be 55 or older, based on the provisions of the 1995 Housing for Older Persons Act — accounts for just under one million, about a 1.4% share.

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25-Point Plan to Stem Illegal Worker Flow Announced

After signaling that it would do so for some time, the Bush Administration on Aug. 10 unveiled a series of measures designed to crack down on illegal immigrants.

The 25-point plan, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, includes adding more patrol agents and fencing, barriers and surveillance equipment at the Mexican border; increasing by approximately 25% the civil fines imposed on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants; and proposing an administrative rule that would require all federal contractors to use E-Verify, formerly called the Basic Pilot Program — an Internet-based electronic employee verification system.

‘Buy Now’ Advertising Assistance Program Resonates in Lincoln, Neb.

When the Home Builders Association of Lincoln in Nebraska decided to conduct a “Buy Now” advertising campaign in their hard-hit area, they turned to NAHB’s “Buy Now” Advertising Assistance Program for funding support.

The NAHB support resonated greatly with the membership.

“Our builders were so pleased with the support we received from national,” said Nadine Condello, the HBA’s executive officer. “We’re desperate out here. The message that it’s a great time to buy is a great thing to get into people’s minds. The campaign generated a lot of hits on our Web site.”

The HBA qualified for the grant program as a Tier 2 applicant and originally requested $30,000 of the maximum $40,000 in matching funds available under the program.

The association used the funds to conduct a more than $60,000 advertising campaign that included newspaper ads, radio spots and billboard advertising.

Nation's Building News Is on Vacation August 20

There will be no regular issue of Nation's Building News on Aug. 20. Weekly publication will resume on Aug. 27.