Monday Morning Briefing Letter - 02/09/2009 (Plain Text Version)By Joe Robson, NAHB Chairman and View Graphical Version
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| E-mail Our Editor The Senate's inclusion of a key home buyer incentivewithin economic stimulus legislation marks a very positive development as more members of Congress acknowledge the need to address the housing crisis that is a primary cause of the nation's economic distress. On Feb. 4, the Senate voted unanimously to approve an amendment to its economic stimulus legislation that would expand the $7,500 home buyer tax credit up to 10% of the value of a new or existing primary residence, topping out at $15,000. The amendment also extends the availability of the tax credit through all of 2009 (expiring one year from the date of enactment), expands the pool of eligible takers beyond first-timers, and eliminates payback provisions. "It's time to fix housing first," said Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), the amendment's primary sponsor and proponent. He noted that the U.S. economy will not recover until the housing market revives. Similar sentiments were expressed by Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), who introduced a much broader housing and job stimulus amendment called the Fix Housing First Act that was also backed by NAHB but unfortunately failed to clear a procedural budget hurdle before it could be voted on. In yet another example of how our "Fix Housing First" message is resonating in Congress, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), who co-sponsored Sen. Isakson's successful amendment, issued a press release quoting Connecticut builder Greg Ugalde and citing NAHB statistics on how the home buyer tax credit would boost economic activity.
ELGs could be costlier and more complicated than expected,said home builders and developers who attended a special presentation on this topic at the IBS in Las Vegas. Nationwide, the EPA anticipates that its proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) will add $2 billion per year to the cost of construction, with gains to the environment not yet clear. But builders believe the costs will be even higher and that the requirements could even cause environmental damage in some cases. Unfortunately, the court order prompting the new guidelines did not call for a cost-benefit analysis, so this could not be part of the EPA's proposal. The court order requiring the EPA to develop ELGs for the construction industry stems from a lawsuit filed by the National Resources Defense Council. After NAHB's and EPA's appeal of the court's decision failed in the Ninth Circuit, EPA was ordered to finalize a rule by the end of this year. NAHB is now preparing comments on this proposal, which are due Feb. 26. NAHB's staff is also preparing background information and talking points to encourage local HBAs to enlist state and local government officials to submit comments opposing the new proposal. NAHB has long held that successful erosion and sediment control measures – so-called Best Management Practices – are the best way for the construction industry to mitigate the effects of storm water discharges on nearby lakes and rivers. BMPs keep the rainwater that mixes with dust and dirt from leaving the construction site. Read more about this concerning topic in the Feb. 2 edition of NBN Online, or contact Ty Asfaw (x8124). [return to top] Here's the very latest on mandated fire sprinklers...The NAHB Fire Sprinkler Strategic Response Task Force has completed the work of determining how builders can continue their efforts to keep expensive fire sprinkler systems as a consumer choice, not a mandate, for new one- and two-family homes. The task force was created after members of the International Code Council voted to include residential sprinkler requirements in the 2009 Edition of the International Residential Code. For more information on the task force report and recommendations, contact Construction, Codes and Standards Program Manager Steve Orlowski, x8303. [return to top] NAHB actions on the green front following ANSI approvalof our National Green Building Standard last week include the following new and ongoing developments:
HBA Teleconference
Online Verifier Training
Media Teleconference
NAHBGreen Network of affiliated HBAs
Ordering the new standard
Heads up on I-9 immigration forms:The Department of Homeland Security has delayed implementation of a revised Form I-9 until at least April 3. This form is used to verify the identity and work authorization of all newly hired employees. The delay means that all employers must continue using the current (old) edition of Form I-9. The revised form, the second in two years, was originally scheduled go into effect on Feb. 2. As currently written, the primary change to this revised form eliminates expired documents – such as expired passports and driver's licenses – from being used as proof of identity. However, the rule is now under review by the Obama Administration and may be subject to further modifications or withdrawn. In addition, Homeland Security has extended the period during which it will accept written comments on changes to the form through March 4. Contact: David Crump (x8491). [return to top] NAHB will be well represented on a key OSHA committeenow that longtime member Michael J. Thibodeaux has been invited to chair the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). This is the first time that an NAHB member will serve in this important capacity. The ACCSH advises the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health on setting construction standards and other policy matters affecting federally financed or assisted construction. Having a representative on this committee is critical to ensuring that home builders' viewpoints and opinions are taken into account prior to OSHA issuing construction safety regulations. Michael has been an active member of NAHB's Construction Safety and Health Committee for the past 14 years. He is the owner of a risk management and safety consulting business that serves the home building industry; previously, he had a 20+ year career with Lennar Corp. in Houston.
February is NAHB National Designation Month,which means we're putting a spotlight on the importance of education for advancement in the home building industry. NAHB's University of Housing proudly offers 16 professional designation programs that help our members hone their skills, achieve career advancement and get the recognition they deserve for their expertise. For potential clients, your professional designation conveys the understanding that they can expect superior training, practical experience and in-depth knowledge when they contract with you. This month, NAHB will be stepping up our ongoing efforts to educate the public about the value of selecting building industry professionals who earn a designation. We'll also be building support for continuing education programs, and increasing recognition of the comprehensive training required to earn an NAHB designation. Find out how to participate in or promote National Designation Month by visiting www.nahb.org/ndm or by calling the Professional Designation Help Line at: 800-368-5242, x8154. You can also view all of the professional designations that are available through NAHB's programs here. [return to top] Farewell to Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller,who passed away after a brief illness on Feb. 3. At 74 years of age, Millard had accomplished more than most could achieve in many lifetimes, with his greatest contribution being the founding of Habitat for Humanity International in 1976. By the organization's 25th anniversary, tens of thousands of people were volunteering with Habitat and more than 500,000 people were living in Habitat homes. Over the years, many NAHB members have participated in home building efforts through this very successful charitable organization. Millard was inducted into the NAHB Housing Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 1999, Builder magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in U.S. home building. Our hearts go out to his wife and four children at this sad time. Read more about Millard's remarkable life in the Feb. 9 edition of NBN Online, or on the Habitat for Humanity Web site. [return to top] For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.NAHB.org | ©2009, National Association of Home Builders |