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Russians Visit NAHB for Insights on Affordable Housing
NAHB last week was one of the main stops for a delegation of Russian government officials interested in learning more about low-income housing in the U.S.
Participating in the U.S. Department of State's World Learning Visitor Exchange Program, the Russians were in Washington to examine the American housing experience as a source of ideas that can be adapted to local, regional and national housing policies in their own country.
The visit was coordinated by the association’s International Department, led by Barbara McMurray, and included discussions with NAHB Executive Vice President Jerry Howard on building codes, qualification standards for builders and contractors, legislation affecting the industry, and the mission and organization of the NAHB federation.
Specific objectives of the delegates were:
- Understanding the role of U.S. government in housing development at the federal, state and local levels
- Connecting with financial institutions involved in housing
- Examining public-private partnerships to provide affordable housing opportunities
- Looking at current practices for planning, funding and building affordable housing, including innovative approaches
David Ledford and Claudia Kedda, members of the NAHB Housing Finance staff, explained to the Russians the housing financing process for affordable housing, focusing on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and federal block grant programs that help states and localities meet their affordable housing needs.
Other stops on the itinerary of the Russian delegation were the Department of Housing and Urban Development, George Washington University, Georgetown University, the District of Columbia Housing Authority and the Urban Institute.
NAHB’s International Department interacts with the housing industry worldwide in efforts to provide decent homes in a suitable living environment around the globe.
The department has hosted delegations from China, Japan, Finland, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Turkey, Sweden, Israel and Ireland. Visitors typically receive briefings by NAHB in-house experts on topical areas of interest, tour the NAHB Research Center and visit local area developers.
NAHB International works closely with U.S. and foreign governments in addition to building industry organizations at home and abroad to develop international trade, promote cooperation, share information and increase the transfer of new housing-related technologies.
NAHB is recognized around the world as a premier information resource on home building technologies and related topics.
For more information on international resources available from NAHB, e-mail Barbara McMurray, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8243.
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