Look for our exhibit on the show floor at the Sunbelt Builders’ Show in Grapevine, TX, Nov. 16-18. We’ll also be attending the Brainstorming multifamily marketing show in Las Vegas, Nov. 14-16, and the Midwest Builders’ Show in Rosemont, IL, March 21-22. Representatives from your national office will be on tap with information on membership benefits, education and designation programs, and our Pillars of the Industry conference and awards program. (And if you show up early enough, you may also get a chocolate apartment building).

Stop by and get to know the people who are working for you – and for the multifamily industry – in Washington. Learn what the national staff can do for you from here, and at your local level. For more information, e-mail Lawrence McFadden, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8550.

• Fall Protection Looms Large on OSHA’s Agenda – and NAHB’s

In a meeting of OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH), the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Ed Foulke, acknowledged that OSHA plans to make residential fall protection an agency priority. NAHB andits affiliate, the NAHB Research Center, recently received a $295,000 grant to provide bi-lingual fall protection training for local Home Builders associations in the coming year. For more information, e-mail Rob Matuga.

• Changes in HazCom Coming?

OSHA wants to revise its current Hazardous Communications standard. Such  changes might affect its approach to mandatory information on hazardous materials in the work place, making the format of the material safety data sheets more uniform and standardized across different jurisdictions. Other proposed changes would affect the classification of chemicals and the labeling requirements for containers. The agency has put out an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that says it is looking to make these changes in 2008. The deadline for comments on the proposed rulemaking is November 13. Additional information is available at OSHA's Web site. E-mail questions to Kevin Cannon at NAHB.

Section 199, like all tax provisions, has certain limitations and qualifying rules that builders must be know about, particularly those that are governed by other elements of the tax code. One of these issues is the apportionment of certain interest expenses. Treasury regulations require taxpayers to elect the manner in which they apportion interest costs among assets, and that election is binding on the taxpayer for a period of five years.

However – and here’s the important part – because the tax value of the section 199 deduction is dependent on business costs, the IRS is offering the opportunity for taxpayers to alter elections made before the establishment of section 199. The IRS will soon issue Revenue Procedure 2006-42, which details the manner in which this election may be changed. This could be an important opportunity for some taxpayers, since altering the manner of interest expense apportionment may increase the value of their section 199 deduction. 

The revenue procedure will appear in an upcoming Internal Revenue Bulletin. Builders should consult their tax professionals to insure they are taking optimal advantage of the deduction, in the context of their particular tax and business circumstances. For more information, e-mail Robert Dietz, NAHB Director of Tax Issues. [return to top]

• Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards Application Deadline: Nov. 30

The applications are rolling in for the 2007 Pillars of the Industry Awards for the industry’s best design, marketing, and individual achievement. Has your company worked on a stellar project? Finalists in the Pillars Awards get great publicity in the trade and consumer press – and your firm gets bragging rights! View the Call for Entries page to learn how to start the online entry process. Read the frequently asked questions, and examine the criteria for all the information you’ll need to apply, and create a terrific entry! And Apply Now!

• Deadline Extended for Community Service Awards – Dec. 1

There's still time to submit your application for the National Housing Endowment’s Community Service Awards. The deadline has now been extended for both awards    , so enter today!

The National Housing Endowment Home Builders Care Project of the Year recognizes HBAs and Councils affiliated with NAHB for an outstanding community service project that epitomizes the commitment of home builders to making a difference in their local communities. Winners receive a $5,000 donation directed to the charity of their choice and are recognized at the annual International Builders’ Show. View the Call for Entries on this page.

The National Housing Endowment Builder Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service Award recognizes NAHB builder, developer and remodeler members for exceptional community service and charitable work that reflects unwavering commitment to their communities. Eight honorees will receive awards including Gold, Silver, Bronze and five honorable mention award winners, as well as donations to be directed to a charity of their choice ranging from $10,000 for the Gold winner to $1,000 for the honorable mentions. For information, view the Call for Entries.

• Multifamily Entries Welcomed in Green Building Awards Competition – Dec. 29

Multifamily builders, developers and architects can enter NAHB’s National Green Building Awards, which recognize individuals, companies and organizations for helping to move green into the mainstream of the housing industry through their designs and construction practices
New this year is a green land development award, which honors resource-efficient site design and development practices, including onsite recycling, preservation of trees and innovative storm water retention features. And the awards include a category honoring Multifamily achievement. The annual awards will be presented during ceremonies at the association’s National Green Building Conference, which will be held in St. Louis on March 25 to 27.

For an application form and instructions on how to send logos, project photos and other artwork, click here. Members are invited to submit a completed application package by Dec. 29, 2006. For additional information, e-mail Emily English at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8366.

• Sunbelt Builders Show – Grapevine, TX – Nov. 16-18

There will be a new and enthusiastic Multifamily presence at the Sunbelt Builder’s show in Texas this fall, held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX, part of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. For more information, visit the show Web site:  http://www.sunbeltbuildersshow.com/.

• International Builders' Show – Feb. 7-10, 2007

The biggest light construction show in the world is bit bigger this year, and manufacturers of multifamily products will be out in force, along with some of the best industry education and networking opportunities. Visit the Show's Web site, and register early, because the close-in hotels go fast.

• 2007 Pillars of the Industry Conference and Gala – April 11-14, 2007

The upcoming Pillars of the Industry Conference and Awards Gala will be held at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, in Hollywood, Fla., April 11-13, 2007. The venue has a lovely beachfront location, featuring a variety of water sports and sport fishing opportunities, as well as a full spa facility for off-hours relaxation. Of course, as always, the educational programs will feature a top-flight roster of speakers drawn from upper-tier industry leaders. To request notification when online registration opens, follow the directions on this page.

And it’s even more enjoyable to attend the Pillars of the Industry Conference if your company has an entry in the finals of the Pillars of the Industry Awards competition. The sooner you start the process, the easier it will be to have everything you need in plenty of time to create a winning entry! For more information, visit the Call for Entries page. If you have questions, e-mail Laura Zaner, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8563.

• Great Time to Buy

Consumers may not realize that the up side of a housing slowdown is that it's a good time to buy. NAHB has pulled together a toolkit full of ways to let consumers know they should be looking now, before things start rising again. Nation's Building News has the full story, detailing the ad campaigns, radio and TV scripts, talking points and media tips. Members can go direct to the toolkit page and explore the new resources.

• Self-Study Guide for Registered in Apartment Management (RAM) Designation

A self-study guide designed to prepare property management professionals for the Registered in Apartment Management (RAM) designation has been released by NAHB’s University of Housing. The study guide is a companion to the updated RAM textbook, Professional Property Management. RAM candidates who use the self-study guide are eligible to sit for the RAM exam without completing the 40 hours of course work usually required to earn the designation. Exams are offered at the National Housing Center in Washington, DC, as well as at local Home Builders Associations across the country. RAM is the longest-running, most respected property management education and designation program in the industry.

To obtain the self-study materials or to register for the exam, e-mail mailto:RAMinfo@nahb.org?subject=Self Study guide or call the Professional Designation Helpline at 800-368-5242 x8154.

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