Monday Morning Briefing Letter - 12/15/2008 (Plain Text Version)

By Sandy Dunn, NAHB Chairman and
Jerry Howard, NAHB President and CEO

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Tell Congress to "Fix Housing First!"

NAHB is urging the incoming Obama Administration and 111th Congress to move quickly to address the core problem behind the current economic crisis... falling home values. You can help make sure our message is heard.

An NAHB Legislative Alert went out to NAHB leadership and those on the BuilderLink network on Dec. 9, explaining that Congress is currently crafting economic stimulus legislation that will most likely be debated and voted on in early January. The expectation is that President-Elect Obama will sign some form of stimulus legislation into law soon after his inauguration on Jan. 20. That's why NOW is the time to reach out to lawmakers and tell them how important it is for Congress to include key housing recovery measures within the package they are crafting. Visit www.capitolconnect.com/builderlink to access and send a letter to Congress urging the adoption of targeted incentives for home buyers, including an expanded home buyer tax credit and short-term mortgage subsidy for purchases made in 2009. In addition, ask Congress to re-examine the need for regulators and lenders to give leeway to residential construction borrowers who have loans in good standing. NAHB is disseminating these messages in full-page ads we have been running in publications that are widely read on Capitol Hill. Contact Molly Murray (x8282) for more information on the Legislative Alert and communications with your lawmaker. Contact Jay Shackford (x8406) for more information on our Fix Housing First ad campaign.

What else can you do? NAHB has developed letters to the editor for signature by your HBA president and submission to your local newspaper. And, NAHB is encouraging all our HBAs and members to place one of our "Fix Housing First" banner ads on their Web sites. View our coalition's Fix Housing First Web site for more on our campaign, or contact Gwyn Donohue (x8447) for info on letters to the editor and banner ads.

Broadcasting our messages on the economic crisis,

mounting job losses in housing and related industries, and the critical need for substantial government-backed home buyer incentives to lift us out of recession, NAHB will host a media teleconference at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 17. NAHB President and CEO Jerry Howard will discuss the Fix Housing First coalition and its recommendations for what elements Congress should include in an economic stimulus package, while Phil Hoffman, a small home builder from Louisiana, will provide a view from the front lines of the housing market. Patrick Abercrombie of Lowe's Cabinet and Lighting Gallery will then share his perspective on how businesses that are closely tied to home building have been affected by the weak market. Members of the media will be given the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the call, but others are welcome to listen in or call in later to hear a full replay of it. To participate, dial 1-800-860-2442 (toll free) and ask for the "NAHB Fix Housing First Call." To hear the final recording after the conference has concluded, dial 877-344-7529 and enter 426279 followed by the # sign when prompted for the account number. The replay will be accessible beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 17, and will be available until 5:00 p.m. Dec. 21. Contact: Liz Warin, x8495. [return to top]

The ICC Appeals Board has rejected NAHB's request

to set aside a previous vote to mandate fire sprinkler systems in all one- and two-family homes. NAHB's appeal was presented at a hearing Dec. 11 and cited procedural problems including how the vote was cast, how advocates funded the vote turnout and whether all voting members were appropriately vetted for eligibility. The appeals board decided to recommend that the vote not be set aside – but that the International Code Council's (ICC's) Board of Directors should reexamine some of its own rules and procedures. The ICC Board will consider these recommendations at their next scheduled meeting on Dec. 19.

"We are pleased that the Appeals Board members recognized many of our concerns and voted to bring them to the Code Council's Board of Directors," NAHB Chairman Sandy Dunn said. "Home builders are dedicated to the safety of the communities in which we build. As a society, we cannot afford to deny needed housing for the sake of new requirements without proven benefits. For these two reasons, NAHB disagrees with fire sprinkler mandates in all one- and two-family homes and supports programs that encourage the installation and maintenance of smoke alarm systems in all homes. Our members will continue to advocate for cost-effective construction and life safety measures through the model code process that will provide safe, decent and affordable housing." Contact: Steve Orlowski, x8303. [return to top]

NAHB President & CEO Jerry Howard issued a public statement

on Dec. 9 regarding staff and operating cutbacks that will result in a savings of $11.5 million for the association in 2009. Following is the full-text of that statement:

"With our builders and other members of the housing industry confronting the most serious recession in more than 50 years, we are announcing today that NAHB is cutting $11.5 million from its operating budget to ensure that NAHB remains the premier advocacy and service trade association for the residential construction industry.

"In my 20 years at NAHB, including the past eight years as President and CEO, this is by far my toughest and most difficult decision. The staff cutbacks touch on the careers of dedicated professionals who have been committed to the mission of our industry. They are good, talented and hard-working people. Nevertheless, the stark financial realities confronting our association and industry cannot be ignored. Projected income from NAHB's two principal sources – membership and trade shows – will be down significantly in 2009. To balance NAHB's operating budget, we will be eliminating 52 positions of which half are currently vacant. The layoffs will take effect immediately. In addition, we will also be sharply reducing expenditures previously approved for 2009.

"By taking this action now, we help position the association to maintain its advocacy leadership and vital services for an industry struggling in the toughest economic environment seen in generations."

The NAHB Senior Officers communicated these moves to the Board of Directors and HBA Executive Officers via a memo sent out on Dec. 9. Contact: Deb Malone (x8256). [return to top]

The Interior Department's final rule on ESA consultations

was published in the Federal Register this week to NAHB applause. The revised rule provides a positive, much-needed balance between the protection of endangered plants and animals and our nation's continued need for affordable housing. In an statement issued Dec. 11 in reaction to the rule's publication, NAHB Chairman Sandy Dunn said that "Streamlining the consultation process, especially for routine development activities on smaller parcels of land where delays often stretch from months to years, will improve conservation efforts for all species." Read Sandy's statement here or contact Calli Schmidt (x8132) for more information. [return to top]

Facts to support 55+ housing project approvals

are now available as part of a new study produced by NAHB's Housing Policy Department in conjunction with the NAHB 50+ Housing Council. "Approving 55+ Housing: Facts That Matter" is a downloadable publication that's free to members of the 50+ Housing Council and available to non-council members for purchase at a cost of just $19.95. This is an invaluable resource for builders and developers who are trying to get an active-adult housing project approved. It provides great information to bring before local zoning or planning boards, city or county councils, civic and home owners associations, and other groups. For example, the study shows that building 100 single-family homes in a typical active-adult community generates $22.5 million in local income, $2.3 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments, and 378 local jobs during the first year. The report also provides facts that show how 55+ housing projects benefit education, transportation, public safety, parks and recreation, and water supply and sewage treatment. For more info, contact the 50+ Housing Council at 50plus@nahb.com or x8220. [return to top]

Don't miss Green Day at the International Builders' Show...

Wednesday, Jan. 21 is Green Day at the 2009 IBS in Las Vegas, and you definitely don't want to miss it. Sponsored by Kohler, Marvin Windows and Doors, and Whirlpool – three companies that supported the event in 2008 – the day will help spotlight great educational sessions as well as a record number of green product dealers and manufacturers who will be welcoming builders and remodelers to the trade show floor with giveaways, special guests and other incentives. The NAHBGreen Action Center, which will be located next to the BuilderBooks store in the Grand Concourse, is the best place to start. Here you'll find out about the many components of the NAHB National Green Building Program, including the online scoring tool, NAHB National Green Building Awards program and the upcoming NAHB National Green Building Conference. For more information on Green Day and all of the events at the 2009 IBS, check out the special IBS preview edition of Nation's Building News Online when it appears on Dec. 15. For more info on Green Day, contact: Calli Schmidt, x8132. [return to top]

Awards news:

Systems-Built Housing Awards
Systems-built housing award winners were honored at the Building Systems Councils SHOWCASE event in Memphis recently. A special honoree was Jim Webb, founder and president of Lok-N-Logs in Sherburne, NY, who received the S.A. Walters Award for his lifetime of service and achievements in the industry. A host of other very special award winners were also presented with Excellence in Marketing and Excellence in Home Design awards. Read about them in the latest edition of NBN Online. All of these honorees will also be featured in the January/February edition of Building Systems Magazine, and their projects will be on display at the 2009 IBS in Las Vegas. Contact Tony Gacek at x8357.

2009 National Sales and Marketing Awards Finalists
Finalists for the prestigious NAHB sales and marketing awards known as "The Nationals" were announced Dec. 10. Recognizing superior new home sales and marketing achievements, The Nationals encompass 63 categories across various disciplines of the new home industry. Winners will be named at the 2009 IBS in Las Vegas. In the meantime, read more about the awards and link to a list of the finalists via our press release. Contact: Lisa Parrish (800-658-2751). [return to top]