So take a deep breath and log on to the Pillars Awards web page for all the information you need to apply to enter your development — rental or for-sale — your marketing effort, or your individual achievement as a development firm, property management firm, or property manager. Once you’ve entered, you have until Jan. 5, 2007, to submit your completed entry. View this page for more information or to start the application process.

And if you run into any difficulty, Multifamily staff is happy to talk you through the process. E-mail Ann Marie Moriarty or Laura Zaner, or call 800-368-5242 x8130.

• Builders Oppose Land-Use Provision in Conservation Bill

Hearings were held last week on the “White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act” (S.3772). That bill, which would amend current federal law regarding the sale of additional federal land around Las Vegas, contains a new affordable housing section that would mandate when 200 or more acres of federal land is sold, five percent of any housing developed on that land must be set aside as affordable (applies only to the Las Vegas area). During the hearings by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, the witness representing the federal Bureau of Land Management expressed opposition to the affordable housing mandate currently in the bill. NAHB is strongly opposed to any federal intrusion into local land use decisions, and has raised strong objections to that inclusionary zoning requirement.

NAHB is working closely with the Southern Nevada HBA to attempt to strike the set-aside requirement from the bill. NAHB met this week with staff from offices of the Senators who introduced the bill — Sen. Reid and Senator Ensign. Senator's Reid's staff intends to try to include S. 3772 in the anticipated omnibus appropriations bill. To view the legislation, click here and type bill number S.3772 in the box in the center screen. For more information, e-mail J.P. Delmore or call him at 800-368-5242 x8412.

• The New Congress Plans to Address TRIA Concerns

According to Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), the House Financial Services Committee will look into the issue of the federal terrorism insurance backstop program, the Terrorism Risk Insurance extension Act of 2005. The TRIA program is slated to expire on Dec. 31, 2007, and is vital to developers whose lenders require terrorism insurance which, without a federal secondary insurance program, would be prohibitively expensive. Stay tuned.

• HUD to Pilot an FHA Small Project Program in the Northwest

HUD has launched a “fast track” Small Projects Demonstration Program for the FHA insurance programs for mortgages up to $1.5 million. This pilot program will be available to FHA-approved lenders for multifamily projects in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. It will run through June 30, 2008, and targets rural and smaller projects, as well as urban infill. View the HUD news release for more specific information, and for a contact at HUD’s Northwest region (Region X).

• Bond Caps Announced for LIHTC Program

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the inflation-adjusted low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and private activity bond caps for 2007. For calendar year 2007, the amounts used to calculate the state LIHTC is the greater of $1.95 multiplied by the state population, or $2,275,000. The amount used under Section 146 to calculate the state ceiling for the volume cap for private activity bonds in 2007 is the greater of $85 multiplied by the state population or $256,235,000.  The entire notice — Revenue Procedure 2006-53 — is posted on the IRS Web site.

• Changes Coming for Federal Housing Finance Board’s Affordable Program

Last month, the Federal Housing Finance Board published a final rule on amendments to the Affordable Housing Program. The rule will go into effect January 1. When the amendments were first proposed, NAHB sent comments, and while some were ignored, others appear to have made a difference. This link will take you to a detailed analysis of the final rule. For more information, e-mail Donna Ely or Claudia Kedda at NAHB.

• Deadline Extended for Community Service Awards -- Dec. 1

You still have time to submit your application for the National Housing Endowment’s Community Service Awards. The deadline has now been extended for both awards until Friday, December 1st, 2006, so don’t delay and 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. Winners receive a $5,000 donation directed to the charity of their choice and are recognized at the annual International Builders’ Show. Read the Call for Entries for details.

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. Read the Call for Entries for details.

• 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.

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Cities offering the training:

 Philadelphia               Dec. 12 & 13
 Lake Charles, LA      Jan. 9
 Biloxi, MS                    Jan. 19
 Cleveland                   Jan. 25

For more information on the training program and materials, and links to online registration for D.C. and other cities, go to the Fair Housing Accessibility First Web site. [return to top]