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A Successful Economic Stimulus Package Must Include Housing Incentives
That’s the message NAHB took to Congress and to the public last week. NAHB ran a full-page ad in USA Today on Jan. 24 urging swift congressional action on three key steps aimed at getting housing and the economy back on track, and sent personal letters to members of the House and Senate leadership.
Here's what they urged Congress to do:
Step 1: Make housing incentives a key part of any economic stimulus package. Step 2: Adopt broad GSE reform legislation to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy larger mortgages in high-priced markets. Step 3: Enact legislation to modernize the Federal Housing Administration.
Another ad will run in USA Today on Jan. 29, and also will be seen in the Jan. 26 edition of National Journal magazine, as well as in the Capitol Hill publication Roll Call.
"Any stimulus plan needs to address the housing downturn in order to stabilize financial markets and get the economy moving forward," noted NAHB President Brian Catalde, in an official statement released Jan. 24 and in letters going to the Hill. For more information on the ads, e-mail Jay Shackford, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8406.
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Legislative: House Passes HOPE VI Reauthorization Bill with LEED Mandates
NAHB’s history of support for the HOPE VI program notwithstanding, the reauthorization bill passed by the House of Representatives on Jan. 17 is not a measure the association can endorse. The bill mandates LEED certification for housing developed under the program, instead of allowing for certification from any one of the various programs – including the NAHB Green Building Standard.
With the bill's approval in the House, the debate now turns to the Senate, whose own HOPE VI bill does not contain any green building mandates. NAHB will continue to fight against such mandates going forward. Read the full story in NBN Online. For more information, e-mail Elizabeth Odina, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8570.
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Regulatory: Comments on FCC’s Proposed Marketing Rule Due Feb. 6
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a rule that would ban bulk billing for video services in multifamily buildings. The new proposal seeks to ban an arrangement in which an owner makes a contract with one company that will provide service to every unit, sending one monthly bill to the owner instead of the resident. The cost of the cable service generally would be included in the rent, along with other services the owner provides, such as air conditioning or a swimming pool. Under the FCC proposal, each resident would be billed individually. The proposed rule also would ban exclusive marketing agreements, such as doorknob hangers or informative flyers in leasing or sales offices.
The FCC already has adopted a rule that bans exclusive service contracts between an owner and any video provider, such as a cable company or a phone company, a decision that gives residents some choice over their video provider. That ban goes into effect March 7, 2008, and it will invalidate the exclusivity provisions of any video service contract in existence on that date.
NAHB will be responding to this new proposal with comments in opposition. If you would like to file an individual comment on this proposal aw well, it needs to reach the FCC by February 6, 2008. For guidance as to how to file such a comment, e-mail A.J. Holliday, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8305.
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Construction: Green Building Standard Comments Due Feb. 4
The consensus committee for the National Green Building Standard has announced that the 45-day public comment period for changes or revisions to the Standard that began Dec. 21 will close on Feb. 4. Members can see the the draft standard and instructions for submitting comments on the NAHB Research Center Web site. The standards consensus committee encourages interested parties to use the public comment form on the Web site.
The proposed point system, the remodeling section and changes that have been made to the standard and shown in legislative format (words in the document that have strikethroughs and underlines) are all open for comment.
The new green building standard is a joint project of NAHB and the International Code Council, which promulgates model building codes. It will go to the American National Standards Institute for approval after the public comment period closes and after consensus committee members have had the opportunity to review the comments and vote on any proposed changes. All appeals will be processed in accordance with the NAHB Research Center standards development procedures – viewable at this link.
When finished, the National Green Building Standard will encompass all residential construction, remodeling and lot and site development. The standard is based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and a number of successful local green building certification programs, with extensive additional input from code officials, energy experts and others in the home building industry. Questions about the public comment period should be submitted to standards@nahbrc.org. For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.
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Association News: NAHB's President-Elect Honored on Capitol Hill
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), in a message inserted into the congressional record, told the U.S. House of Representatives that Sandy Dunn will become the first West Virginian to serve as president of the nation's home builders. Capito said, "It is an honor to represent such an accomplished leader who serves the needs of the home building industry on the national front, while always maintaining her dedication to her community of Mason County. I am proud to call Sandy Dunn a friend and fellow West Virginian." The congresswoman also said that Sandy "owes her success to open communication and listening to the concerns of the industry within her state and across the nation," and cited Sandy's numerous honors, including the 1997 Henry E. King Award, the highest accolade in her state.
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Calendar: Big Show, Niche Shows, Awards
- Green Building Awards Deadline – Jan. 31
If your company is building green, your work should be entered in NAHB's Green Building Awards competition. For more information, view this page.
- International Builders’ Show – Feb.13-16, 2008
The full schedule of Multifamily activities at the International Builders' Show is available at this link.
Register Now for the International Builders’ Show, in its final year in Orlando. See the exhibits you didn’t get to last year, as well as the many first-time exhibitors. For more information, and to register online, view this page.
- 2008 Best of 50+ Housing Awards – February 29
Enter your firm’s best active adult housing community in the 50+ Housing Council's awards program. Winners will be announced in May at the Building for Boomers and Beyond conference in New Orleans. For more information, view this page.
- Pillars of the Industry Conference and Gala – Early Registration Ends Feb. 22
Join top-tier industry leaders at The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., on April 1-3, for an information-packed seminar program and a revamped menu of networking opportunities. It’s NAHB Multifamily’s signature annual event, and one that the industry’s most influential leaders attend. For more information and to register online, view this page.
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Resources: More to Love in February: Dell Double Discounts!
NAHB members receive a special discount every month from Dell, as well as a team of dedicated representatives who understand the industry’s business needs, and can help build a complete solution that’s right for each member.
But for the month of February, NAHB members can double * their member discount. The offer is valid through the last day of February. Normal discounts of 3%-5% will double to 6%-10%.
To maximize the Member Advantage Discount, use the following procedure: Visit www.NAHB.org/MA and click on the link to Dell.
After you have made your selections and you are ready to purchase, call your dedicated Dell sales representative at 888-577-3355, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (CST) and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CST). Your sales representative will apply your NAHB member discount to your order.
NAHB members who have previously ordered from Dell also receive a monthly catalog, which includes this double discount offer.
*Double discounts do not apply to the preconfigured systems, which are already priced at up to 20% off.
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